The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 3 Heading North: Three Top-Tier Players Plus One High-Level Martial Artist

Pang Tong did not ask Zhuge Liang specifically how to assist Liu Bei.

Although he was quite interested in the trip to Langya, Pang Tong was more interested in traveling and wanted to see what kind of person Liu Bei, whom Zhuge Liang so highly praised, was.

As it was getting dark and curfew was in effect, Zhuge Liang stayed overnight at Pang Tong's house.

The next morning, Zhuge Liang bid farewell to Pang Tong and went out to find Xu Shu, who was working odd jobs at a tavern.

Unlike Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, Cui Jun, and others, Xu Shu had neither a family background nor relatives to rely on.

Therefore, in addition to his studies, Xu Shu also had to work odd jobs in taverns and shops to earn money to support his elderly mother.

Fortunately, Xu Shu was strong and hardworking, and he had the help of friends such as Zhuge Liang, Shi Tao, and Meng Jian. Although his life was poor, it was more fulfilling than when he was a wandering knight in Yingchuan.

When did Kongming enter the city?

Xu Shu was both surprised and delighted to see Zhuge Liang.

"Liang intends to return to Langya to pay homage to his ancestors. Yuanzhi, would you be willing to accompany him and protect him?"

Upon meeting Xu Shu, Zhuge Liang got straight to the point.

"Accompanying guards?" Xu Shu was surprised: "Kongming is going back to Langya to pay respects to his ancestors, would he lack accompanying guards?"

Although Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu were both wanderers from afar, Zhuge Xuan's old connections in Jingzhou and the marriage alliance between the Zhuge family and the Kuai and Pang families meant that as long as Zhuge Liang didn't do something reckless, he could do whatever he wanted in Jingzhou.

Zhuge Liang only needed to greet his two brothers-in-law to obtain loyal followers and protectors to accompany him.

And this is indeed the case.

When Kuai Qi first heard that Zhuge Liang was going back to Langya to pay respects to his ancestors, he immediately offered to send his loyal bodyguards with him.

Even when Zhuge Liang proposed recruiting Huang Zhong to accompany him, Kuai Qi consulted Liu Biao instead of politely declining.

The reason why Liu Biao agreed to let Huang Zhong accompany him as a bodyguard was not only because of Kuai Qi's request, but also because Liu Biao remembered his old friendship with Zhuge Xuan.

Zhuge Liang had no shortage of attendants and guards, so he didn't need to come and invite Xu Shu separately!
Seeing Xu Shu's doubt, Zhuge Liang did not hide anything: "Yuanzhi has always known my ambitions, why ask when you already know the answer?"

In short: Bro, I'm going to help you get rich, are you in?
Xu Shu's breath hitched, and he put down his work: "Kongming often compares himself to Guan Zhong and Yue Yi, only regretting that he did not meet Duke Huan or King Zhao. Is it possible that he has already chosen a wise ruler for Langya?"

“Yuanzhi understands my heart!” Zhuge Liang said with a smile, “I want to serve a wise ruler, but I am afraid that I cannot support him alone, so I invited Yuanzhi to come with me.”

Xu Shu was even more astonished: "Who is it that Kongming admires so highly? Why would he go there in person despite the hardships of the journey? Isn't Kongming afraid of misjudging someone and choosing an incompetent ruler?"

Based on Xu Shu's understanding of Zhuge Liang, even if the other party had the qualities of a wise ruler, he would not easily meet with him without waiting for him to cool off twice.

Unlike now, people are willing to go and surrender even though the journey from Xiangyang to Langya is arduous!
What Xu Shu didn't know was:
If Liu Bei were in Jingzhou, Zhuge Liang would also like to relive the friendship of Liu Bei's three visits to Zhuge Liang's home.

As for now, Liu Bei will not come to Jingzhou in the short term.

If Zhuge Liang wanted to assist Liu Bei in advance, he had to take the initiative to attach himself to Liu Bei.

Zhuge Liang was a rational person.

Although actively seeking refuge with Liu Bei meant losing the favor of his three visits and being easily underestimated, those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles.

Zhuge Liang was willing to do this so that the restoration of the Han Dynasty would not be in vain.

"General Zuo, Liu Bei!"

Zhuge Liang's face was beaming with smiles. When he mentioned "Liu Bei," his tone changed noticeably, and the memory of riding horses with Liu Bei resurfaced before his eyes.

"Liu Bei?"

Xu Shu lowered his head and pondered.

"How could it be this person?"

Xu Shu's thoughts were roughly similar to those of Cui Jun and Pang Tong; they all believed that Liu Bei was now merely Cao Cao's henchman.

Cao Cao's henchmen were actually the enlightened rulers recognized by Zhuge Liang.

This puzzled Xu Shu.

Zhuge Liang had anticipated Xu Shu's reaction.

He said in a stern voice, "General Zuo is known for his virtue and integrity. No one but General Zuo is capable of restoring the Han Dynasty!"

Xu Shu was even more surprised.

Zhuge Liang's evaluation of Liu Bei was so high that Xu Shu couldn't help but yearn to see what kind of person Liu Bei was that Zhuge Liang praised him so highly.
Thinking of his widowed mother with no one to care for her, Xu Shu frowned again. Knowing Xu Shu's worries, Zhuge Liang suggested, "Your mother can temporarily move into the thatched cottage in Longzhong and live with your brother Jun. That way, they can look after each other."

"Kongming, I must go home and discuss this with my mother." Xu Shu was tempted, but did not immediately agree.

Pursuing fame and fortune, he traveled far to Langya, not knowing when he would be able to return home. Xu Shu could not only think of himself.

In this regard.

Zhuge Liang also expressed his understanding.

Xu Shu was extremely filial to his mother.

It is only natural for a person to not dare to travel far away when their mother is still alive.

Moreover, seeking fame and fortune in chaotic times is a gamble with one's life.

Subsequently.

Xu Shu took leave and returned to his small residence with Zhuge Liang.

Upon learning the details, Xu's mother immediately reprimanded Xu Shu, saying, "As a person, one should value kindness and righteousness above all else. Kongming did not dislike your rough manners and befriended you. Now that there is an opportunity to achieve fame and success, he will not forget you. How can you use this as an excuse to shirk your responsibilities?"

Xu's mother's righteousness moved even Zhuge Liang.

Only a mother as understanding and righteous as Xu Shu's mother could raise such a filial son as Xu Shu.

With the support of Xu's mother, Xu Shu no longer hesitated and immediately agreed to go to Langya with Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang was overjoyed upon hearing this: "With Yuanzhi's assistance, I have nothing to worry about."

Now, Liu Bei is not highly regarded and is imprisoned. Zhuge Liang is unable to persuade more brave and wise men to join him, so he can only start with his relatives and friends.

Bring one if you can.

To avoid any accidents.

Apart from Xu Shu and Pang Tong, no one else knew Zhuge Liang's true purpose in going to Langya.

Although Huang Zhong accompanied them, his trip to Langya was merely a side trip, and his purpose differed from that of Zhuge Liang and the other two.

Huang Zhong had a son named Huang Xu, who fell ill at a young age. Even with Zhang Zhongjing's help, the root of Huang Xu's illness could not be eradicated.

Having heard that there was a physician named Hua Tuo in Qiao County who was skilled in treating difficult and complicated diseases, Huang Zhong decided to take Huang Xu there to try his luck.

Initially, Huang Zhong was worried that escorting Zhuge Liang would interfere with his visit to the doctor, so he politely declined Kuai Qi's offer.

But soon, Huang Zhong changed his mind, simply because Kuai Qi was offering far too much money!

Treating Huang Xu's illness emptied Huang Zhong's already meager savings.

Since Kuai Qi was willing to pay more, Huang Zhong was naturally not foolish enough to refuse again.

As long as you're willing to pay more, everything is negotiable!

Spring of the fourth year of Jian'an.

Zhuge Liang bid farewell to his relatives and friends in Jingzhou, and together with Xu Shu, Pang Tong and Huang Zhong, headed north from Xiangyang.

Zhuge Liang could not fully predict what his future would hold.

But Zhuge Liang firmly believed that since Heaven had been so kind as to allow him to return to the age of eighteen, he would surely be able to assist Liu Bei in eliminating the bandits and restoring the Han Dynasty!
On the banks of the Ying River.

Banners fluttered in the breeze.

A large flag embroidered with "General Zuo" fluttered in the wind.

"Da da da"

Hundreds of riders flew in.

The leader was a burly man with a fierce expression and cold eyes.

Upon seeing the three armored men beneath the banner of "General Zuo," the tiger general hesitated for a moment before dismounting and approaching to pay his respects.

"This humble general, Xu Chu, is hereby ordered by Minister Cao to request that the general return to Xudu immediately, as there are other matters to discuss."

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(End of this chapter)