Wubei Zhi (Vol. 10)

...visions. They do not wish to honor their sovereign or bring peace to the people. Your lordship possesses great virtue and has achieved great deeds; the world is already turning toward you in submission. Your military administration is disciplined and respectful; your rewards and punishments are clear and trustworthy. The current strategy should be to recruit heroes, strive to please the hearts of the people, establish the enterprise of the Gaozu Emperor the founder of the Han Dynasty, and save the lives of the multitude. If you act with these aims, then settling the world will not be difficult." Guangwu was greatly pleased and ordered his attendants to call Deng Yu "General Deng." He often slept in the same quarters as him to discuss strategic plans. When it came to appointing officials, he often consulted Deng Yu, and those whom Deng Yu recommended all possessed the appropriate talents. Guangwu considered him a man who truly understood people.

The diviner in Handan, Wang Lang, falsely claimed to be a son of Emperor Cheng and raised an army in the Yan region. When the capital was in turmoil due to his rebellion, Liu Xiu moved his carriage out of the city and galloped south day and night, reaching Wulou Pavilion. Feng Yi brought him bean porridge. When they arrived at Raoyang, the officials were all starving. They traveled day and night, enduring...