Because many heroes in the Han Dynasty only began to emerge after gaining military achievements during the Yellow Turban Rebellion.
Many people accumulated some prestige and obtained official positions by suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion, thus gradually rising to prominence.
Don't underestimate this prestige; it's the world's perception of you, capable of attracting ambitious individuals to serve you.
Even Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao, the two brothers from a family that produced three Grand Tutors over four generations, would try to gain prestige to increase their standing in the world, let alone ordinary people of humble origins.
Just like that, an ox cart, dragging a tiger and some wild game, slowly approached the outskirts of Zhuo Commandery.
The surrounding common people, seeing this scene, were all incredibly astonished and exclaimed!
"Look, it's a tiger!"
It instantly attracted a crowd of people at the city gate, as tigers were both mysterious and dangerous to them.
Many had only heard of them and never seen one; now, to see a tiger appear before their eyes was indeed quite a shock.
Even the dozen or so soldiers guarding the city gate were filled with awe, marveling that someone could kill such a large beast; it truly showed great skill.
And so, the ox cart, dragging the large beast, proceeded into the city streets, attracting crowds wherever it passed.
Liu Jin and Zhao Ergou, listening to the exclamations and praises around them, had joyful expressions, even a bit smug.
He then had Old Man Li drive the ox cart, dragging the tiger to the busiest street, where it was set down, and Old Man Li was given a pheasant for his travel expenses.
The tiger was left by the roadside for all the surrounding people to gather and observe.
Liu Jin felt a bit of regret because the ox cart wasn't his.
Otherwise, he would have acted like a fisherman who caught a big fish, hanging it off the back of his cart and parading it through the entire city, making three passes by his home without entering.
Zhao Ergou was very perceptive, explaining and bragging to the inquiring common people.
The tiger was killed by Liu Jin, which filled these common people with shock and surprise, that one person could shoot and kill a tiger.
They looked at the tall Liu Jin beside him, full of admiration and awe, thinking that to kill a tiger indicated that this person's strength was formidable.
The Han Dynasty was originally a time of flourishing martial arts, and many people admired martial prowess, looking at strong individuals with new respect.
Just then, several young men, dressed in coarse linen, looked at the crowd that had gathered ahead.
The leader, with a refined face, resolute eyes, prominent ears, and long arms, tapped the straw sandals on his feet.
He muttered!
"What happened up ahead? Why are so many people gathered?"
One of the young men seemed to have heard some whispers from among the common people and excitedly said!
"Brother Xuande, this group of people seems to be saying that someone killed a tiger, which has attracted a lot of spectators."
"Let's go see the tiger-killer too."
The man named Brother Xuande was Liu Bei, one of the heroes of the Han Dynasty. When he heard this, he was slightly taken aback!
He was somewhat surprised in his heart that someone could kill a tiger, which indicated extraordinary martial arts and great strength.
He immediately felt the urge to make his acquaintance, hoping to recruit him.
He pushed his way through the crowd with the others, seeing the huge tiger lying dead by the side of the street.
Although Liu Bei knew about it, seeing the scene still shocked him a little.
He looked at Liu Jin and Zhao Ergou in front of him; they were tall but somewhat thin, clearly also of commoner origin, and his desire to befriend them grew even stronger.
He immediately stepped forward and lightly coughed!
"May I ask which brave warrior killed this great tiger?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Jin immediately looked at the speaker and couldn't help but pause for a moment.
The young man in front of him was dressed in coarse clothes, wore straw sandals, had ears that dangled to his shoulders, and long arms.
Isn't this the quintessential Liu Bei?
With a smile on his face, he stood up, cupped his hands, and politely said!
"This tiger before us was indeed killed by me."
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei carefully scrutinized Liu Jin. He had delicate features, and although dressed in coarse linen, he exuded a fierce martial aura, truly a remarkable individual.
Cupping his hands, he said with a smile!
"So it was this brother. I am Liu Bei, courtesy name Xuande, a great-great-grandson of Gaozu, son of Emperor Jing, and a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan."
He immediately stated his identity as a member of the imperial clan, elevating his status, hoping to command the other's respect.
Liu Jin heard this and a smile appeared in his heart. He didn't expect Liu Bei to go all out right away, clearly intending to recruit him.
But then again, it made sense. Someone who could kill a tiger, demonstrating his might, would naturally not be overlooked by someone of Liu Bei's character.
His expression remained calm and composed, and he said with a chuckle!
"So it is a descendant of the imperial clan."
"I've long heard of you, long heard of you."
Liu Bei smiled, reaching up to stroke the few whiskers at the corner of his mouth, appearing quite pleased!
His imperial clan status held a strong appeal for commoners like these.
He lightly coughed and said with a smile!
"May I ask where Brother Jin is from?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Jin straightened his coarse linen clothes and said loudly!
"I am Liu Jin, not yet capped, and a descendant of Prince Zhao."
"Oh, right."
"My ancestor, Prince Zhao, was Emperor Guangwu's uncle."
Liu Bei was stunned upon hearing this, his smug expression instantly vanishing, his aura even dropping a few points. He hadn't expected this young man in front of him to also be a descendant of the imperial clan.
Moreover, he was a descendant of Prince Zhao, Liu Liang, which was quite a bit higher than his own ancestor, Prince Jing of Zhongshan.
Especially the lineage of Prince Zhao; it held a very high position in the imperial court, and many members of his clan served as high officials in Zhuo Commandery.
Although they were both imperial clansmen, he still had reason to be proud; his mentor was Lu Zhi, a great scholar of the Han Dynasty, and his fellow disciple, Gongsun Zan, was quite famous throughout the north.
With a friendly expression, he said with a smile!
"So, Jin brother is also a descendant of the imperial clan. I have long admired you."
After some casual conversation, the two became somewhat acquainted.
Liu Bei looked up at the sky, displaying a look of concern for the world, and said with emotion!
"Now the world is in turmoil, bandits are rampant, and the common people are suffering. What are your plans, Jin brother?"
"I see that Jin brother is extraordinarily brave, no ordinary man. Are you willing to follow me as a wandering hero, to eliminate bandits and save the people of the world?"
Liu Jin felt a slight tremor in his heart upon hearing this string of words. Liu Bei truly lived up to his reputation as the top salesman of the Han Dynasty.
He immediately brought up saving the people of the world. When ordinary people heard such words, their blood would boil, and they might indeed pledge their loyalty and follow him to the death.
But who was he? He was a transmigrator, after all, so how could he possibly follow Liu Bei?
After all, Liu Bei would spend the next decade or so hiding and fleeing, like a stray dog, wandering all over the Han Dynasty.
Rather than that, why not choose to follow Cao Cao or Yuan Shao? At least he could enjoy wealth and glory.
Besides, he also had some ambition; as a transmigrator, he naturally had to contend with heroes from all walks of life and experience the beauties of the Han Dynasty.
A smile played on Liu Jin's lips, and he said loudly!
"I already have an idea in my heart. I wish to venture out into the world. Brother Xuande, are you willing to follow me?"
Liu Bei exclaimed, "Ah!"
A look of bewilderment appeared on his face. "Wasn't I supposed to ask you to follow me on my journey? How did it become me following you?"