Chapter Nine: The Encounter of Two Dynasties

Liu Bei and the other two all looked at Zhuge Liang with puzzled expressions, unable to understand why the strategist would ask such a question. It was clearly not the twelfth year of Jian’an—so what year could it be?

“Could it be the fifth year of Yuanshou?” Zhuge Liang asked.

The fifth year of Yuanshou!

Everyone present was no ordinary person and naturally understood the significance of the era name Yuanshou. It belonged to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Liu Che.

Why would the man before them claim that the current year was the fifth year of Yuanshou?

This question crossed the minds of the three sworn brothers—Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei—simultaneously.

As for Zhuge Liang, his gaze fixed on Liu Ju, the Crown Prince.

“Crown Prince Liu Ju, the fifth year of Yuanshou,” he said.

From Zhuge Liang’s perspective, what had just transpired was nothing short of astonishing.

“Little Ju, your father is the son of Emperor Xiaojing… the seventh emperor of the Han Dynasty,” Zhuge Liang carefully chose his words, avoiding both the name of Emperor Wu and direct naming, as both seemed inappropriate in this context.

Zhuge Liang’s words were like a stone cast into still water, sending ripples across the surface.

The three brothers’ faces registered shock.

“Strategist, that can’t be right. Emperor Wu lived some three hundred years ago. Little Ju must just share a name with the ill-fated Crown Prince,” Zhang Fei objected.

Zhuge Liang remained silent, quietly looking toward Liu Ju, waiting for his answer.

If Liu Ju denied it, the matter would likely be dismissed as a joke and forgotten.

But if Liu Ju confirmed it, things would become complicated.

They couldn’t simply believe Liu Ju was the son of Emperor Wu based on his word alone—unless he could prove it.

Liu Bei felt conflicted inside. Previously, he had casually called him “Little Ju,” but if Liu Ju truly was the son of Emperor Wu, this boy before him, barely over ten years old, was actually from an ancestral generation. Calling him “Little Ju” would be deeply disrespectful.

Still, Liu Bei hoped that Liu Ju was indeed the infamous Crown Prince, because if Liu Ju had come here, then perhaps Emperor Wu himself might also be able to arrive.

“I am Liu Ju,” came the confirmation.

Hearing Liu Ju’s affirmation, no one present showed joy; it was insufficient proof.

“May I know your name, brave warrior?” Zhuge Liang inquired, suspecting that if Liu Ju truly came from the fifth year of Yuanshou, this companion could not be an inconspicuous figure.

“I am Huo Qubing, Marquis of the Champion of Han,” the young man replied.

At once, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei sprang to their feet with two sharp sounds. Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang exchanged a glance, both stunned.

The name was resounding—indeed, even more illustrious than Emperor Wu’s son, Liu Ju.

In Han times, this name was known by all.

“Words alone are not enough. What proof do you have to convince us you are the Marquis of the Champion?” one challenged.

“Enough of the quarrel,” Zhang Bo said as he emerged from the house holding a large string of five-coin pieces. He noticed Liu Ju in the courtyard. “Hey, Little Ju, where have you been for the last hour or two? And who is this?”

Looking at the young man about his age, Zhang Bo asked Liu Ju.

“Brother, this is my elder brother, Huo Qubing,” Liu Ju answered.

Zhang Bo’s reaction mirrored that of the four from the Eastern Han—he stood dumbfounded.

He had begun to believe Liu Ju might indeed be from the Western Han era. Hearing the name Huo Qubing, Zhang Bo immediately felt profound respect.

No wonder Zhang Bo showed such reverence; Huo Qubing’s reputation in ancient times was immense.

At eighteen, Huo Qubing was appointed by Emperor Wu as Colonel of the Cavalry, leading 800 riders on a raid hundreds of miles deep into Xiongnu territory, striking at the enemy's main camp, slaying the Xiongnu chancellor and a noble lord, and capturing the uncle of the chanyu. His heroics earned him the title Marquis of the Champion.

Recalling his own eighteenth year, Zhang Bo felt embarrassed—sometimes the gap between men is wider than that between man and beast.

At twenty, he was made General of the Cavalry, a rank equivalent to the highest ministers. Within six days, he annihilated five kingdoms, forcing the Xiongnu royal family to submit to Han. From then on, the northwest border was free of Xiongnu incursions, and the Han secured control over the Hexi Corridor.

At twenty-two, he decisively defeated the Xiongnu army, achieving the highest honor a military commander could attain.

He was granted the titles “Wolf King of Juxu” and “Drinking Horse of the Han Sea.”

Alas, like all great heroes whose meteoric rise is marked by titles, this seemingly invincible figure met a premature end at only twenty-four years old.

Still, for Zhang Bo, Liu Ju and Huo Qubing remained mere suspects from the Western Han, not confirmed—unless they produced irrefutable evidence.

Should their identities be verified, Zhang Bo would certainly seek ways to prevent their tragic fates.

Huo Qubing looked over Zhang Bo standing at the gate, then turned to Liu Ju to inquire, “Your Highness the Crown Prince, shall we bring this man back to the Weiyang Palace?”

“Yes, elder brother,” Liu Ju replied.

Pointing at Zhang Bo, Huo Qubing said, “You will come with us.”

“Come with us?” Zhang Bo wondered. Could they be heading to the Western Han?

Was it real? Could a man from the modern era really travel to the Western Han?

After a brief hesitation, Zhang Bo made up his mind.

“Let’s do it!”

Now was a society governed by laws; he had no fear of being harmed.

If so, why not go?

Without a second thought, Zhang Bo tossed the string of coins into a corner and prepared to leave with Liu Ju and Huo Qubing.

“Since you doubt my identity, how about coming along with me?” Huo Qubing invited the Eastern Han four before departing.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei instantly showed eagerness.

They had to go—otherwise, they’d regret it forever!

“Strategist, what say you?” Liu Bei asked.

“My lord, I suggest we follow them. With Guan Yu and Zhang Fei by your side, I foresee no trouble,” Zhuge Liang replied.

“Your words echo my thoughts,” Liu Bei agreed.

Five minutes later, the group arrived at the cave Liu Ju had mentioned, said to lead to the fifth year of Yuanshou.

“Little Ju, you mean if we crawl through this cave, we can reach the fifth year of Yuanshou?” Liu Bei asked.

“Uncle Xuande, yes, exactly,” Liu Ju confirmed.

“Big brother, this…” Zhang Fei began, wanting to dissuade them, feeling that crawling through a hole was somewhat degrading.

But seeing Liu Bei already crouching down, Zhang Fei swallowed his words.

Behind them, Zhang Bo was dumbfounded.

From what he knew, behind this low wall was a household that had apparently settled in the city; the house was abandoned, likely leaving a wild, overgrown courtyard behind the wall.

Watching Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei enter the hole one by one, Zhang Bo followed suit.

In moments, he emerged from the other side.

Standing up, Zhang Bo looked around.

As he suspected, it was a somewhat dilapidated courtyard.

Suddenly, Zhang Bo realized something.

Where were Liu Bei, Liu Ju, and the others?