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

Chapter 58 Liu Bei's benefactor has arrived; can we handle this massive influx of traffic?

Half a month ago.

Zheng Xuan dreamt that Confucius told him, "This year the year is Chen, next year the year will be Si."

After waking up, Zheng Xuan used prophecies to calculate that "Chen is the dragon, Si is the snake. When the year is the year of the dragon and the snake, the wise man will lament!" This means that the year of the dragon and the snake is unfavorable to the wise man.

Not long after, Zheng Xuan fell ill.

A few days ago.

Sun Qian came to see Zheng Xuan and told him that Yuan Shao wanted Zheng Xuan to join the army.

Thinking of the fate of dragons and snakes, Zheng Xuan suddenly felt that destiny was hard to defy and knew that his life would end this year.

Although Zheng Xuan was a renowned scholar and elder statesman of Dongzhou, he lived in the twilight of a dynasty and had no choice but to do many things.

He was poor and farmed in his childhood, his studies were thwarted in his youth, he suffered the calamity of the Party Prohibition in his middle age, and he lost his son in his old age. At the age of seventy-four, he was forced by Yuan Shao to join the army.

Although he achieved great academic success, his life was full of hardships.

What worried Zheng Xuan the most was his only grandson, Zheng Xiaotong, who was not yet seven years old and was born posthumously to his only son, Zheng Yi'en.

If I were to die this year, who could I entrust my orphan to?

Therefore.

After Sun Qian conveyed Pang Tong's intentions to Zheng Xuan, Zheng Xuan decided to divide his collection of over ten thousand volumes into two: four thousand volumes to be passed down to his only grandson Zheng Xiaotong, and over six thousand volumes to be given to Liu Bei.

And it is hoped that when Liu Bei becomes rich and powerful in the future, he will remember the kindness of giving the book and take care of Zheng Xiaotong.

Lu Zhi was a close friend of Zheng Xuan and also studied with Zheng Xuan under Ma Rong.

Liu Bei was a student of Lu Zhi, and both of them were from Zhuojun.

In addition, Sun Qian, a prominent disciple of Zheng Xuan, was appointed as Liu Bei's aide.

With these connections and a collection of over six thousand volumes of books, Liu Bei would certainly not forget to take care of Zheng Xuan's only grandson once he became wealthy and powerful.

Historical records state that Zheng Xiaotong died from poisoning by Sima Zhao.

The reason was simply that Sima Zhao suspected Zheng Xiaotong of having read confidential documents and said something similar to Cao Cao's "I would rather betray the world than let the world betray me"—"I would rather betray you than let you betray me"—and directly poisoned Zheng Xiaotong.

And now.

The appearance of hindsight experts has changed the fate of many people to varying degrees.

This also affected Zheng Xiaotong's fate.

What Zheng Xiaotong's future will be remains to be seen.

But one thing is certain: as long as Liu Bei can establish a foothold in Hebei, Zheng Xiaotong will not be poisoned by Sima Zhao again!

How could I take advantage of someone in distress?

"Please inform Duke Kangcheng that no one can humiliate Duke Kangcheng's beloved grandson in front of me."

Although Liu Bei greatly desired Zheng Xuan's collection of over six thousand volumes of books, he was unwilling to do anything unjust.

Sun Qian was deeply moved.

Since ancient times, good ministers have chosen their lords carefully.

With such a master, what more could one ask for?
He then took out the letter Zheng Xuan had given to Liu Bei and said, “My master knows your character, General. He also instructed me that if you refuse to accept this letter, you can take this letter and have it read.”

Liu Bei was both surprised and delighted, and quickly opened the letter to read it.

But the letter says:

I am old and seriously ill, and Lord Yuan is urging me to go north. I fear my days are numbered.

She is deeply worried because her grandson, Xiaotong, is young and frail and has lost his father.

Knowing that your benevolence and virtue are widespread, I entrust this letter to you.

I now wish to donate over six thousand volumes of classical texts to help the public promote education and enlighten the people.

I hope that in the future you will remember the kindness shown in giving me this book and protect Xiaoyi and his family.

The times are turbulent; I hope you take good care of yourself.

Upon receiving the letter, Liu Bei was deeply moved and sighed, "I owe Kang Cheng Gong so much!"

Chen Deng's gift of a thousand volumes of books deeply moved Liu Bei, who felt indebted to Chen Deng.

Now, Zheng Xuan has directly gifted him over six thousand volumes of his collection, all of which are annotated by Zheng Xuan himself. If Chen Deng's collection of books is worth a thousand pieces of gold, then Zheng Xuan's collection is priceless!
As long as the fact that Liu Bei possessed Zheng Xuan's collection of over six thousand volumes of books is spread, Liu Bei can transform himself into a renowned scholar in Hebei without even lifting a finger!

Subsequently.

Liu Bei composed himself and said solemnly, "I should personally go and express my gratitude to Lord Kangcheng for the letter he presented!"

Immediately.

Liu Bei left the rest of his men in the camp, and then took Zhang Fei, Xu Shu, and Sun Qian with him to see Zheng Xuan.

"Why didn't the strategist go with my elder brother?"

Guan Yu looked puzzled.

Given Zheng Xuan's erudition and reputation, countless scholars longed to meet him but could not.

When Liu Bei decided to go and see Zheng Xuan, Zhang Fei and Xu Shu were somewhat "out of sorts," fearing that they would not be able to go with Liu Bei.

Why didn't Commander Guan accompany General Zuo?

Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan, asking a question instead of answering.

"My third brother and eldest brother have both gone to see Duke Kangcheng. I, Guan Yu, must remain in the camp in case of any unforeseen circumstances," Guan Yu said without hesitation.

Zhuge Liang said solemnly, "My concerns are the same as those of Commander Guan. As for seeking out talented people, it is sufficient for General Zuo to go in person."

"What Liang is worried about is the tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians who followed General Zuo north. The lives and property of tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians are all tied to General Zuo, so we must be careful."

Whenever Zhuge Liang thought of the Battle of Changban in his memory, he felt deeply pained.

Tens of thousands of civilians were killed or wounded, including many of Liu Bei's family members, including civil and military officials, who were captured or killed.

even:
Liu Bei's two daughters were captured, and Xu Shu's widowed mother was captured.

As a result, Liu Bei's wives, Lady Gan and Lady Mi, either fell ill from shock or were injured and died shortly afterward.

and many more.

To avoid repeating the same mistake, Zhuge Liang was extremely cautious when Liu Bei went north this time.

Although Zhuge Liang also wanted to meet Zheng Xuan, he chose the latter over personal desires and the important matter of Liu Bei's establishment of his career.

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu admired him even more.

In the past few months, Zhuge Liang has devoted himself wholeheartedly to Liu Bei, often working day and night without rest, which Guan Yu has witnessed.

Especially:
When Guan Yu learned from the "drunken" Pang Tong that Zhuge Liang had admired a woman while in Xiangyang, but had hidden his admiration in order to go north and help Liu Bei establish his career, Guan Yu was even more moved.

Ever since.

Guan Yu then secretly informed Liu Bei about this matter.

Liu Bei adopted Guan Yu's suggestion and secretly sent someone to Xiangyang to deliver a letter to Huang Chengyan, a renowned scholar from Miannan.

The letter praised Zhuge Liang's talent, character, and ambition, as well as Zhuge Liang's admiration for Huang Chengyan's daughter, Huang Yueying. It also expressed the hope that Huang Chengyan would give Zhuge Liang a few years.

Although it was uncertain whether Huang Chengyan, a renowned scholar from Miannan, would give Liu Bei face, both Liu Bei and Guan Yu hoped that the matter could be accomplished.

Conversation room.

Zhuge Liang tallied up the quantities of grain, weapons, able-bodied men, and veterans he had obtained from the five generals of Mount Tai, including Zang Ba, and then handed them over to Guan Yu for inspection.

He said, “Although it is said that the quality of soldiers is more important than the quantity, the White Feather Army is said to have a thousand men but actually only has more than eight hundred, which is still too few. Guan Sima can select another five hundred men from the young and old soldiers given by Zang Ba and others to join the White Feather Army.”

Looking at the numbers compiled by Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu pondered for a long time before asking, "Strategist, can these five hundred men be excluded from the White Feather Army? I would like to form a separate unit."

Zhuge Liang neither confirmed nor denied, but instead asked, "I need a reason."

Guan Yu took a deep breath and bowed to Zhuge Liang: "For the past few months, I have often accompanied the strategist and observed the troop training. I have gained much insight from this experience. Therefore, I wish to train five hundred swordsmen to see the results."

Guan Yu was a proud man.

Following Zhuge Liang closely, observing his troop training, and seeing the elite White Feather Army that Zhuge Liang had trained, Guan Yu had long since lost his composure.

Unfortunately, due to a lack of weapons and soldiers, Guan Yu could not realize his ideas, even though he had them.

And now

With weapons and men in hand, Guan Yu decided to train his troops independently.

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(End of this chapter)