Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 69 Zhu was quite wealthy

"Why isn't Mr. Jian saying anything? Does he no longer want to borrow Yuzhou?"

"But...this."

Even someone as eloquent as Jian Yong was speechless at this moment, unsure of how to respond.

"Mr. Jian, what are you still hesitating about? I'm not going to force you to give me your grain supplies."

These 400,000 bushels of grain are said to be used as collateral for Yuzhou, but in reality, am I not also using Yuzhou as collateral for your grain?

With both sides holding the pledge, this forms the basis of the alliance. Moreover, returning it at the appropriate time will not harm the noble families or your lord.

Since you, Mr. Jian, are working for the Imperial Uncle, and the conditions are so good, I really don't understand what you are still hesitating about.
Could it be that Liu Bei never intended to return Yu Province from the beginning, and that's why you're worried about the grain supplies?

"Mr. Yuan, you've misunderstood!"

Jian Yong was startled and quickly replied.

“It’s not that I’m unwilling, but the matter is of great importance. I’m just a scholar and have no right to decide such a big matter for my lord. I hope Lord Yuan will be lenient and allow me to report back to my uncle immediately and then give a reply.”

"Mr. Jian, as an envoy, doesn't even have this much on-the-spot decision-making ability? I truly feel sorry for the Imperial Uncle."

Jian Yong saw a hint of impatience on his face. In the flickering candlelight, his cold eyes looked aloof and empty.

"I kindly advise Mr. Jian that you would better persuade the Imperial Uncle to send provisions within seven days, so as not to disappoint me."

Jian Yong thought to himself, "What's with this tone that makes me want to be your advocate and persuade my lord?"

However, he also knew that given Yuan Gonglu's arrogant nature, this was already the biggest concession he could make.

Otherwise, given his resources, even if he withdrew his troops eastward to fight his own side, he would still have the strength to fight Cao Mengde again.

However, their lord Liu Bei's meager foundation could not withstand another round of depletion.

With a sigh, Jian Yong nodded in agreement, "Lord Yuan awaits good news."

Pei State, Xiao Pei.

When Jian Yong returned and recounted the events at Yuan's camp, the people in Liu's camp fell silent.

Zhang Fei was the first to break the tension, cursing and swearing, "Four hundred thousand bushels of grain? Why doesn't Yuan Gonglu just rob it?"

Jian Yong weakly explained, "That... Third General, he said it was borrowed."

"He's talking nonsense! Yuan Gonglu can return the grain supplies? I, Zhang Fei, can quit drinking!"

"Third General, is it possible that it's not that he's refusing to return our supplies, but rather that we're refusing to return Yu Province to him?"

"Jian Xianhe! What's wrong with you? Why are you always speaking up for Yuan Gonglu after you came back from Yuan's camp?"
My elder brother was appointed Governor of Yuzhou by the imperial court. Yuzhou originally belonged to us. What does it have to do with Yuan Gonglu?

“Third brother! Mr. Jian was also thinking of us. Borrowing Yuzhou was a plan that Yuanlong had made before he left.”

Liu Bei quickly offered some advice, but Zhang Fei dismissed it.

"Brother, I don't understand anything about lending or not lending and not paying back. In my opinion, let's not go through all these complicated things."

"Let me go to the front lines and join my second brother in beheading that damn Ji Ling! Let's see if Yuan Gonglu dares to ask for more money then."

Liu Bei raised his hand to stop him, "Third brother, stop talking nonsense! Right now, Yuan Gonglu is busy fighting Cao Cao and doesn't want to go to war with us. Do you think we would be willing to take the initiative to fight him and shield Cao Cao from disaster?"

It's just a matter of losing money to avoid disaster. What's troubling me right now is where to find 400,000 bushels of grain.

It's a pity that Yuanlong returned to Xuzhou, and my second brother is at the front lines confronting Ji Ling; neither of them are by my side. Otherwise, perhaps we could have a better solution.

"Qian has a plan."

If my lord truly wishes to borrow grain, he may send the Third General with his troops to circle around the gates of the powerful families of Yuzhou.

If anyone dares to refuse to lend, simply invite the Third General to drink a lot of wine in front of them, and they will surely be terrified.

Ever since the story of the Third General losing Xuzhou while drunk came to light, no one dared to be afraid of him when he drank.

After all, everyone knows he's capable of anything when he's drunk.

Zhang Fei: "." Liu Bei waved his hand repeatedly at this seemingly brilliant plan.

"Absolutely not! What will become of our reputation if we do such a thing?"

When it comes to his own reputation, Liu Bei is quite perceptive.

"Yuan Gonglu's plan is that all three parties will cooperate and achieve a win-win situation, with no one suffering any losses."

In reality, it is extremely insidious. The act of borrowing grain may seem ordinary, but it is intended to damage the very foundation of my reputation, Liu Bei. This must not be done.”

"You can't fight, and you can't borrow? It's the same in Lu, and it's the same in Yuzhou. Brother, if you ask me, you're a really pathetic governor of Yuzhou."

"If Yuanlong were here, he would surely have a solution."

While everyone was at a loss, Mi Zhu sighed and stepped forward.

"If we can't borrow, then we'll buy."

Zhu is quite wealthy, and now that Your Excellency is in distress, he is willing to give up all his wealth to help you and relieve your worries.”

Liu Bei was moved, grasped Mi Zhu's hands tightly, and choked with emotion.

“Zizhong’s kindness is beyond measure, and I have no way to repay it.”

Mi Zhu raised an eyebrow and spoke at the opportune moment.

"Governor Zhu is kind and righteous, and is willing to help me. Why should I repay him?"

However, I have a younger sister who is of marriageable age and has long admired the name of the magistrate. She often tells me: "I will not marry anyone but a hero like Magistrate Liu."

This truly puts me in a difficult position. If Your Excellency could marry her…

Liu Bei, of course, readily agreed, and the marriage was discussed. The Liu camp was filled with joy once again.

Before long, Cao Cao's camp also heard the news.

When Yue Jin learned that Liu Bei had not only not fought with Yuan Shu, but had even held a wedding in Yuzhou and enjoyed a celebratory feast, he was speechless for a long time.

Seeing that Yuan Shu had received a steady stream of grain from Liu Bei in Yuzhou and was determined to conquer Xuchang and invade Yanzhou, Yue Jin was also worried and hurriedly pushed open the door to Xi Zhicai's room.

At this moment, the emaciated strategist was leaning against the bed, unable to get up, and the person sitting at the desk handling documents had been replaced by Xun You.

"Borrow Yuzhou? It's a wonder Liu Bei has the nerve to ask Yuan Gonglu for that."

Demanding 400,000 bushels of grain, it seems that in Yuan Shao's eyes, Liu Bei was already a dead man, and dead men don't need to repay debts.

Listening to Yue Jin recount the events, Xun You nodded slightly and looked at Xi Zhicai on the bed.

"How are things going with Liu Ziyang's side?"

Xi Zhicai slightly raised his eyelids, remaining calm and composed.

"In your last letter you said everything went smoothly, and the matter of inciting the students at the Shouchun Academy to submit a petition was quickly agreed upon. It is said that Yuan Gonglu's ambition to become emperor is obvious to everyone."

With Yuan Shu's strategist no longer by his side, let's see who can stop him from declaring himself emperor.

Once Yuan Shao declares himself emperor, the so-called alliance of Yuzhou will be nothing but a joke. If Liu Bei doesn't launch an attack on Yuan Shao, he might as well give up his title of Imperial Uncle.

Yue Jin and Xun You then agreed, saying, "Excellent."

Meanwhile, far away in Shouchun.

Yan Xiang, carrying his sword, stormed into the academy and blocked Liu Ye, who was being passionately delivered during his speech, at the entrance.

"Liu Ziyang!"

Yan Xiang's face was filled with heartache and regret.

“You are of excellent character and learning. Since you entered the palace, your talent has surpassed that of all the students. You are just waiting for the lord to return. He will surely entrust you with important responsibilities. Why are you in such a hurry to spread such rebellious words everywhere?”

(End of this chapter)