Though Zhang Fei's curiosity about the so-called "White Bear" — the great panda of the western mountains — was piqued, rescuing Master Jian Yong naturally came first.
Following the tattered servant, Zhang Fei and his men marched southwest from Linju for dozens of miles until they reached the wide banks of the Great River. Zhang Fei knew that a hundred miles upstream lay Zigui, the gateway into Yi Province. Jian Yong had taken this route on his mission to the west; now he was returning by the same road, though ill fortune clearly dogged his steps.
"General," the servant panted, "ten miles upstream, a band of mountain bandits blocks the pass. They are not great warriors, but they are many. A distinguished guest travels with Master Jian, and I risked my life to break through and seek help."
Zhang Fei's timing could not have been better. He soon came upon a ragged group of brigands hemming in an even more pitiful band of travelers. Before Zhang Fei could signal an ambush, the servant clambered onto a rock and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Master Jian! General Zhang has come to save you!"
Zhang Fei muttered a curse at the ruined element of surprise but barked his orders without hesitation: "Surround them! Leave not a single one standing!"
The fight ended quickly. The sight of three hundred seasoned soldiers charging through the narrow pass broke the bandits' nerve; they dropped their crude weapons and fled or surrendered in panic.
"Master Jian, you have suffered much," Zhang Fei said, striding over the fallen blades.
Jian Yong, thinner, darker, but still grinning like a fox, clasped Zhang Fei's arm. "If you hadn't come, Yide, I'd be roasting in a bandit's pot by now."
They laughed and embraced.
"In my relief, I nearly forgot our guest!" Jian Yong exclaimed. He turned and brought forward a man of short stature and keen, pointed features. "This is Commandant Zhang Song, courtesy name Zijiao — a distinguished envoy who has accompanied me from Yi Province!"
Zhang Fei's expression grew serious. He straightened and offered a formal salute, a gesture that made Zhang Song's narrow eyes glint with satisfaction.
"Commandant Zhang bears a message from Governor Liu Zhang concerning the matter of Hanzhong," Jian Yong explained.
Zhang Fei pondered for a moment. "Then let my finest guards escort Commandant Zhang to Gong'an at once to meet my Lord. Fan Jiang, you lead the escort. Zhang Da, take the captured bandits back to Linju. Master Jian, I hear of White Bears nearby — care to join me in seeing one?"
Jian Yong's fatigue vanished instantly. He agreed with a laugh.
Gong'an pulsed with life — a city alive with industry and confidence. As Zhang Song walked its busy streets, he noted the clear eyes and hopeful faces of the common folk. His mind was made up. Born with an unfortunate countenance, Zhang Song's lifelong wish had been to employ his gifts in service of a worthy ruler. Liu Zhang had never granted him that chance.
When Liu Bei received him, he did not even allow Zhang Song to complete his bow. He reached out and clasped the envoy's arms himself.
"Zijiao, you have come far and must be weary. Sit. Let us speak as equals."
"Governor Liu!" Zhang Song cried, then abruptly fell to his knees, pressing his forehead to the floor.
"Zijiao, what is this?" Liu Bei tried to lift him. "You come as the envoy of Yi Province. Liu Zhang and I are both of the Imperial Clan — there is no need for such formality."
But Zhang Song would not rise. "And what if Governor Liu Zhang no longer values his kinship and instead seeks to yield to the traitor Cao?"
Without waiting for a question, Zhang Song spoke from the heart. He told of Liu Zhang's envoys sent to Xuchang to curry favor with Cao Cao, and how, were it not for the victory at Red Cliffs, Yi Province would already be a vassal of the north.
"The land of Yi has known turmoil since the days of Liu Yan," he cried. "Why? Because it lacks a master of true brilliance! The wise men of the West long for a ruler of light. I beg the General of the Left to march into Yi Province!"
Liu Bei fell silent for a long while before speaking softly. "I understand your meaning. Yet you are Liu Zhang's minister."
"I am the Commandant of Yi Province," Zhang Song shouted, "but above all, I am a servant of the Han!"
Liu Bei rose and turned away. "I acknowledge your heart. You are willing to risk your name for your vision, yet I will not found my cause upon the ruin of a kinsman or the infamy of a loyal minister turned traitor."
"Go now. What was said today began with your lips and ends with my ears. You remain a loyal servant. I shall take Yi Province in my own way. When that day comes, serve the Han once more with all your heart."
As Zhang Song departed, his steps faltered with emotion. Liu Bei sighed deeply. "Yi Province holds men of great talent, yet Liu Zhang cannot recognize them."
"My Lord, why did you not accept his offer?!"
Two figures emerged from behind a screen — Kongming and Pang Tong. It was Pang Tong who cried out in protest. "With Zhang Song and Fa Zheng as allies within, the foundation would already be ours! Zhang Song may have a plain face, but his mind is extraordinary. If he acts as our guide, Yi Province is as good as taken! Why refuse Heaven's gift?"
Kongming waved his feather fan lightly. "Such a move would lack righteousness," he said calmly. He looked at Liu Bei with quiet approval. "To compromise virtue for expedience is not the Lord's path."
"Even so," Pang Tong muttered, "you could at least have asked him to leave the maps of the two rivers! How could you let him go empty-handed?"
At this, Liu Bei and Kongming exchanged glances and both laughed aloud. Pang Tong's eyes narrowed in sudden comprehension.
"Don't tell me… the maps are already in our hands?"
Liu Bei smiled faintly. "Let today's events remain within these walls."
"Shiyuan," said Kongming, "come with me."
He led Pang Tong into a smaller hall under heavy guard. Inside, the furniture had been cleared away. In the center stood a massive table, on which lay a sand-table map made from colored pebbles, rice grains, twigs, and clay.
Pang Tong's eyes widened. He had spent a year aiding Zhou Yu with intelligence work, and he recognized the geography at once.
"Jiangling… Zigui… Chengdu? How can it be so detailed?"