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

Chapter 30 Zhang Fei Makes a Vow: I Really Want to Improve!

What Liu Bei didn't know was...

Zhang Fei's admiration for Pang Tong was actually influenced by Guan Yu.

Whenever Zhang Fei thought of how Guan Yu had become gentle and humble, appearing more dignified than before, he felt anxious and frustrated at not being able to catch up.

Both were Liu Bei's right-hand men, and Liu Bei addressed them as brothers.

Zhang Fei was not to be outdone.

In addition, Zhang Fei had harbored resentment for many years because he had been betrayed by Lü Bu and lost Xiapi.

Although Liu Bei often reassured Zhang Fei, saying that "abandoning Pi is not solely the responsibility of my third brother," Zhang Fei dared not think that way in his heart.

If we had been able to hold Xiapi back then, would we have allowed Lü Bu to run rampant?
It is thought that during the time Liu Bei went to Haixi, he actually resorted to "officials eating each other".

Thinking that he had allied with Cao Cao to destroy Lü Bu, Liu Bei was instead trapped in Xuchang by Cao Cao and forced to study gardening.

It's hard to believe that Liu Bei was almost forty and still had to struggle to survive between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, waiting for the right time.

Zhang Fei felt even more guilty.

Therefore.

When Zhang Fei discovered that Liu Bei had acquired a new "scholar," and that this "scholar" was a learned and refined gentleman, Zhang Fei felt a surge of joy.

What my second brother can do, I can do too!

I will never again squander my elder brother's legacy!

Zhang Fei secretly made a vow.

Upon learning that Pang Tong had just woken up from a hangover and hadn't eaten yet, Zhang Fei immediately offered to treat Pang Tong to wine and meat.

After obtaining Liu Bei's consent, Zhang Fei hurriedly left with Pang Tong, as if afraid that someone would come and snatch Pang Tong away.

“Yide and the strategist are indeed compatible in temperament.”

Watching Zhang Fei and Pang Tong leave, Liu Bei couldn't help but smile.

Liu Bei had not forgotten the strategy he had discussed with Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong the previous night.

After a simple meal, he sent for Sun Qian, Xu Shu, and Huang Zhong, and ordered the three to go on a mission to Changxi in the East Sea.

After Xu Shu joined Liu Bei, although he was valued and trusted by Liu Bei, he had few opportunities to make merit except for recommending Zhuge Liang.

Xu Shu was perfectly clear about the purpose of his mission to Chang Xi in the East Sea.

Zhuge Liang discussed his strategy of conquering Hebei with Xu Shu and Pang Tong frequently after leaving Xiangyang.

To enter Hebei, one must first enter Qingzhou.

To enter Qingzhou, it would be necessary to borrow a route from the Six Generals of Mount Tai (see map in the previous chapter).

Chang Xi of the East China Sea is the first target to be won over.

"We will obey the general's orders and will certainly not fail in our mission!"

Xu Shu readily accepted the order.

The same applies to Huang Zhong.

As Huang Xu's condition gradually improved, Huang Zhong's smile became more frequent.

Furthermore, Yi Ji gave Huang Zhong a reason to stay in Xiapi and serve Liu Bei, so that Huang Zhong would not be torn between loyalty and righteousness. Huang Zhong was determined to help Liu Bei solve his problems.

Sending him as an envoy to Changxi was an opportunity to repay Liu Bei's kindness.

"With my strong bow, I can surely protect General Sun and Military Advisor Xu."

Huang Zhong made a solemn vow.

Liu Bei nodded with pleasure and then instructed Sun Qian: "Chang Xi is a man who cares about his reputation. When you go to Tan County, you should first visit Chang Xi's wife and children and speak highly of him to show that I have long admired him."

The more concerned one is about saving face, the more one cares about how others treat their wife and children.

Even if he says, "Men talk business, women and children can play elsewhere," he'll be thinking, "If I'm this capable, how could my wife and children be any less? Disrespecting my wife and children is disrespecting me. Only those who respect my wife and children are qualified to talk to me."

Liu Bei traveled extensively and was skilled at recognizing talent.

Although his relationship with Chang Xi was superficial, he could see through the nature of people like Chang Xi. To win people's hearts, one must first understand them.

To avoid any accidents.

After Xu Shu and the other two left, Liu Bei ordered Xiahou Bo to select fifty clever White Feather Soldiers to go to the East Sea to gather information and provide support.

Like Chen Dao, Xiahou Bo joined Liu Bei during the period when Liu Bei was appointed Governor of Yu Province by Cao Cao.

Although Xiahou Bo was surnamed Xiahou and was from Qiao County, he was not a close relative of Xiahou Yuan, Xiahou Dun, and others.

For example, Yuan Lin of Yingchuan, although he had some connection with the Yuan clan of Runan and the Yuan clan of Chen, was a distant relative.

The so-called "origins" actually refers to discussing ancestral connections and identifying with a common ancestor when interests are involved, which can reduce conflicts between people.

Apart from that, it's pretty much like that line from a movie: "Smash that TV when you leave! What kind of class is that? It's the same as the one I use!"

It is more than 200 li from Xiapi to Tanxian.

It can be reached in three to five days.

Xu Shu knew Liu Bei's eagerness to win over Chang Xi, so he did not delay on the road and arrived in Tan County in just three days.

Having learned that Chang Xi was hunting outside the city, Xu Shu and Sun Qian discussed the matter and decided to first visit Chang Xi's wife and children under the guise of "Sun Qian, the disciple of Kang Cheng Gong, from Beihai".

Zheng Xuan of Beihai was quite famous in the Qingxu area.

last year.

Emperor Xie appointed Zheng Xuan as Grand Minister of Agriculture, placing him among the Nine Ministers. He also gifted Zheng Xuan a luxurious carriage and invited him to travel to Xuchang.

In every prefecture and county he passed through, the local officials all came to see him off and welcome him.

His reputation speaks volumes!
Although Zheng Xuan resigned and returned to his hometown under the pretext of illness after arriving in Xuchang, this move not only did not affect Zheng Xuan's reputation, but also made him more respected. The villagers all called him "Zheng Sinong".

Zheng Xuan's disciple Sun Qian came to visit in person, and Chang Xi's wife and children dared not show the slightest disrespect.

While arranging drinks to entertain Sun Qian and his two companions, he also sent men out of the city to search for Chang Xi.

Sun Qian kept Liu Bei's instructions in mind. On the one hand, he praised the virtues of Chang Xi's wife and children, and on the other hand, he took out Zheng Xuan's commentary on the Book of Songs and gave it to Chang Xi's first wife.

Legend has it that all the maids in Zheng Xuan's household were well-versed in the Book of Songs. Once, one maid made a mistake and was punished. Another maid jokingly asked, "Why are you in the mud?" The maid who made the mistake replied, "I went to complain, but I met with his anger."

The former is quoted from the Book of Songs, specifically the section "Shi Wei" from the "Bei Feng" chapter, and roughly translates to "Why are you kneeling on the ground?"

The latter is quoted from the Book of Songs, Beifeng, Baizhou, which means "I was reporting something to him when I happened to find him angry."

After this story spread among the villagers, it sparked a craze for the Book of Songs among the women of the various households, with some wealthy women even paying large sums of money to obtain Zheng Xuan's commentary on the Book of Songs.

Whether Changxi's wife genuinely wanted to learn the Book of Poetry or simply wanted to appear cultured, Sun Qian's gift of the Book of Poetry was undoubtedly the right one!

Changxi's son was young, so Sun Qian gifted him a copy of the "Classic of Filial Piety" annotated by Zheng Xuan, which made Changxi's chubby son's eyes squint into slits with delight.

When Changxi hurriedly returned from outside the city, all he heard was his wife and children praising Sun Qian.

He glanced at Sun Qian and the other two.

When his gaze fell on Huang Zhong, Chang Xi subconsciously tensed his muscles.

This man is remarkably robust! His eyes are piercing, and his aura is as firm as a rock; he is certainly no nobody.

Looking at Xu Shu again, he was refined yet heroic, which made Chang Xi both wary and suspicious.

"I wonder what brings Mr. Gongyou to my humble abode?" Changxi asked tentatively, unaware of Sun Qian's purpose.

Sun Qian smiled calmly: "Naturally, I have come on the orders of Governor Che!"

Chariot armor?

Chang Xi sneered inwardly, narrowing his eyes as he asked, "I heard that Mr. Gongyou had already joined Liu Bei's ranks, so why has he switched allegiance to Che Zhou?"

A mouthful of Liu Bei's name and a mouthful of Che Zhou's name reveal arrogance.

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(End of this chapter)