My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 49 Lu Su Recommends Talented Individuals
Don't be fooled by the fact that the Lu family is very wealthy; they are a well-known super-rich family in the East City.

Even those short-sighted clan elders like Lu Su knew that the Lu family was declining year by year.

Wu Shu clearly records: The elders all said, "The Lu family has declined, and this madman was born!"

It is evident that the decline of the Lu family year by year was already common knowledge in the local area.

How could Lu Su, a man of such high talent, refined character, deep foresight, and forthright temperament, accept this fact?

No matter how he learned fencing and archery, gathered young men, provided them with food and clothing, and sent them hunting in the southern mountains, he secretly trained them and instructed them in martial arts and military training.

But he remained a hidden gem, failing to attract a wise ruler and instead being regarded as a spoiled brat by the villagers.

The better his vision, the more isolated he became; who could understand the emptiness, loneliness, and anxiety in his heart?
To whom could Lu Su confide his grievances and sorrows?

Now, suddenly encountering the all-powerful Big Ears, who is friendly, considerate, and understanding of Lu Su's inner pain and worries, how could he possibly resist?

"Zijing, please rise quickly."

Liu Bei hurriedly left his seat and personally helped Lu Su up, his eyes filled with appreciation and encouragement. He said, "Zijing, why do you say such things? I have always been of meager virtue, but I have been valued by the elders of Xuzhou and entrusted with the affairs of the state. I am worried day and night, and I am deeply afraid of failing the people."

Now that I have Zijing's assistance, I feel like a fish in water. I humbly request Zijing's continued guidance and frank advice; I will readily heed any advice.

"I wish I had met my lord sooner!"

Lu Su's eyes reddened with emotion. This Lu Su was quite different from the kind-hearted, pushover character in the novel.

The real Lu Su was a cunning and shrewd man who was arrogant and talented, and also very good at reading people and catering to his lord's preferences.

Even though Sun Quan was ungrateful and disregarded past favors, he still missed Lu Su in his later years. Although he criticized Lu Su for exaggerating at times, he actually followed Lu Su's strategies very obediently.

This is because Lu Su was so good at it; he could say and do things that pleased the leaders. How could anyone not like him?

But now it seems that compared to Big Ears, the fledgling Lu Zijing is still a bit lacking and has almost been conquered by the other party.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have changed "Ming Gong" to "Zhu Gong".

Don't underestimate the difference of just one word. Minggong, I am working for you, and you are my boss, that's true, but I can leave at any time, and you can be dismissed at any time.

Whether I resign or you are dismissed, we are no longer in a master-servant relationship. At most, I owe you a favor and am your former subordinate.

But these days, former officials have little power to restrain people; it all comes down to how morally upright a person is.

But the lord is different. He's showing signs of wanting to acknowledge a master. Even if Liu Bei is dismissed from his post as governor of Xu Province, Lu Su will still be Liu Bei's personal retainer and will run away with Liu Bei.

The three men sat down again, one as host and one as guest, with Liu Feng sitting opposite Lu Su.

"My lord, I am unworthy, but I am willing to offer you three strategies to help you establish a foothold in Xuzhou."

Lu Su straightened his posture and began to offer his advice.

Liu Bei and Liu Feng also became serious.

If Lu Su's onboarding was an interview, then now it's time for him to showcase his talents.

Liu Bei replied solemnly, "Please speak frankly!"

Lu Su held up three fingers: "My first strategy is to ask my lord to recruit more talented people. We are now in a time of great strife. China is in turmoil, with heroes rising up in the north and south. The strong control states and counties, while the weak defend their cities."

"My lord desires to secure Xuzhou, and this cannot be accomplished without recruiting talented individuals and gathering heroes. I, Su, possess only modest abilities, yet you, my lord, value me highly and have summoned me with great ceremony. You have shown me great favor and honor. Although I have no particular skills, I have several outstanding friends whom I wish to recommend to my lord to assist you in securing the state and stabilizing the nation."

Liu Bei readily agreed, nodding repeatedly: "Although I have only just met Zijing, I am already well aware of his talent. The friend whom Zijing respects must also be a man of equal brilliance. Zijing, please come quickly, and I will welcome you with my carriage."

The Xuanche was a high-ranking carriage that could be drawn by four horses, had a canopy, and was large in size. Officials with a salary of less than 600 shi (a unit of grain) were not allowed to ride in it; only officials with a salary of 2,000 shi or more were permitted to ride in it.

Originally, Liu Bei's summons of Lu Su did not require such a grand ceremony; a mere official carrying the summons document would have sufficed.

After all, Lu Su was just a local strongman at this time. His family had not produced a high-ranking official in the prefecture for a long time, let alone a person with a salary of two thousand shi (a unit of grain measure).

However, Liu Feng was worried that Lu Su had underestimated Liu Bei and refused to obey the summons.

Therefore, Liu Feng strongly urged Liu Bei to send a carriage to welcome him.

In fact, Liu Feng's persuasion this time was quite effective.

Lu Su was not optimistic about Liu Bei taking control of Xuzhou. His views were very similar to Chen Qun's, believing that Xuzhou was already in a vortex, with complex forces and internal and external troubles.

If Lu Su were to follow his own heart, he, who was unfamiliar with Liu Bei, would naturally not want to jump into a minefield.

Even though Lu Su longed to serve in government, a wise man like him would only seek long-term development, not a temporary official position.

Therefore, Lu Su would most likely have refused Liu Bei's offer of service.

At this moment, Liu Feng's persuasion and dispatch of the carriage played a significant role, making Lu Su feel valued, and even cherished.

You should know that the Xuanche is the official vehicle of the prefectural government and the governor. Anyone who can get them to send their own vehicle to pick them up must be highly valued by them.

This made Lu Su feel very good about Liu Bei. A scholar will die for one who understands him. How could Lu Su not be moved by such a grand gesture?
At the same time, it also made Lu Su curious about the position that Liu Bei had reserved for him.

Those who can afford to be chauffeured in a carriage cannot possibly be minor officials.

It's like the provincial government's number one car is picking you up to become an official; it's impossible for you to become a village chief.

Even if you are a commoner, there are still ways to be promoted.

Now that Liu Bei has expressed his willingness to send a carriage based on Lu Su's recommendation, this trust alone is enough to move Lu Su.

“My lord, Su Suo has three people to recommend. The first one is named Liu Ye, courtesy name Ziyang, from Chengde in Huainan. Like you, he is also a descendant of the Han imperial family.”

This young man was precocious, decisive and quick-witted. At the age of thirteen, he obeyed his mother's dying wish and killed the servant whom his father favored. Afterward, he calmly apologized to his father.

His father, Liu Pu, was initially furious, but after learning of Liu Ye's motives, he also greatly admired him and did not criticize him harshly.

Xu Shao of Runan was skilled at judging character. While seeking refuge in Yangzhou at the time, he praised Liu Ye, saying he possessed the talent to assist the world.

Liu Bei immediately became excited and couldn't help but interject, "Xu Zijiang has met countless people and has the ability to recognize people and distinguish between the genuine and the fake. People all consider it an honor to have Xu Zijiang give them a word of evaluation."

I have long admired your great name, but I am unfortunate not to have received such a high evaluation from you, Xu Zijiang.

Liu Feng chuckled inwardly, knowing that his father had once again flattered him.

It wasn't that he couldn't reach him; he simply wasn't qualified. Liu Bei was merely a poor scholar from a remote border region; how could he possibly catch Xu Zijiang's eye?

Thank you for your blessings, dear readers! Here's an extra chapter!

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(End of this chapter)