Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 62 Cao Cao is stunned, Liu Bei actually supports Jian Shuo
Although Cao Cao tried his best to disguise himself as a naive and gossipy neutral bystander, his image as a "cunning hero in troubled times" was deeply ingrained in people's minds in later generations, and he could not deceive Liu Bei.

Know thyself, ever-victorious.

Cao Cao did not know Liu Bei, but Liu Bei knew Cao Cao.

Since Cao Cao had a desire to perform, Liu Bei readily played along, feigning a frown and saying, "Commander Yuan's actions are extremely rude. How can one covet another man's wife? Brother Mengde, you must not follow his example."

Cao Cao laughed heartily: "How could I, Cao Cao, be such a shameless person? Besides, I also have a wife; why would I covet another man's wife?"

Liu Bei secretly scoffed, "You, Cao Cao, have a wife, yet you don't yearn for another man's wife?"
He wanted all of them: the daughter-in-law of General He Jin, the wife of Qin Yilu, a general under Lü Bu, and the aunt of Zhang Xiu.

If Cao Pi hadn't gotten there first, Yuan Shao's daughter-in-law would have become a concubine; if the Battle of Red Cliffs hadn't ended in defeat, the two Qiao sisters of Jiangdong would have had to submit.

After feigning politeness all the way, Liu Bei and Cao Cao entered Jian Shuo's tent together.

After entering the tent, Cao Cao invited Liu Bei to sit next to him and they chatted and laughed, seemingly ignoring Jian Shuo, who was in the main seat. Jian Shuo's face visibly darkened.

Is this guy declaring war on Jian Shuo?

Or perhaps, they want to instigate trouble for Jian Shuosheng?
Liu Bei glanced at Jian Shuo and noticed that Jian Shuo was gripping the wine cup tightly, as if he was suppressing his anger.

Looking around the room, Zhao Rong, the Left Assistant Colonel, and Feng Fang, the Right Assistant Colonel, both bowed their heads.

As a cold wind blew in, Left Colonel Xia Mou and Right Colonel Chunyu Qiong entered the tent together. After glancing at the seats, Xia Mou sat in the row of Liu Bei and Cao Cao, while Chunyu Qiong sat in the row of Zhao Rong and Feng Fang.

They appear to be clearly distinct.

Perhaps sensing the tense atmosphere, Jian Shuo clapped his hands again, first summoning a group of musicians and dancers, who played music and danced, creating a scene of decadence.

Although he was a eunuch, Jian Shuo also had a passion for music and dance.

These musicians and dancers clearly received professional court music and dance training from a young age.

The melodious sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, and the graceful dance was breathtaking. Even Liu Bei, a man of great experience, could not help but be captivated by the wonderful music and dance before him.

As the music and dance ended, the initial tension in the tent dissipated.

Jian Shuo waved his hand, dismissing the musicians and dancers, and then raised his cup to toast everyone, saying: "Today's banquet is for two reasons: first, to welcome the newly appointed Right Commandant Chunyu Qiong, and second, to congratulate Commandant Liu on his meritorious service in suppressing the rebels and being promoted to Commandant of the Lower Army. It is said that the New Year should bring new beginnings, so I offer you all this cup of wine, hoping that the Western Garden Army can continue its efforts this year, suppress the rebels for His Majesty, and restore a bright and clear world to the Han Dynasty."

Jian Shuo spoke with righteous indignation, as if he were truly going to be a reincarnation of Huo Guang in order to help Liu Hong eliminate the traitor.

Everyone raised their glasses in return.

After everyone had finished drinking, Jian Shuo changed the subject, his tone becoming indignant: "It's a pity that there are so many treacherous officials in the court who are unwilling to help Your Majesty punish the rebels, which has led to the rise and fall of rebels like Han Sui, who often despise Your Majesty. This is intolerable!"

Liu Bei's expression was strange.

Who is Jian Shuo alluding to?
Are the treacherous officials in the court colluding with each other?
Does this mean Jian Shuo isn't included?

They're actually crying "stop thief!" when they're the thief themselves?

Not only Liu Bei thought this way, but Cao Cao, Xia Mou, and others also thought so.

Everyone knows the truth, Jian Shuo, so stop pretending to be high and mighty.

Seeing that no one reacted, Jian Shuo felt a surge of anger rising to his head, and he almost burst into a tirade. But then he remembered Liu Hong's recent dissatisfaction with the Xiyuan Army, and forcibly suppressed this anger.

Liu Hong has been really upset lately.

The Xiyuan Army has been established for several months now, and apart from Liu Bei's achievements in Runan, almost everything else has been a mess.

Zhao Rong, the Left Colonel of the Army, Feng Fang, the Right Colonel of the Army, and Xia Mou, the Left Colonel, got into a fight at Ping Le Guan in order to expose the matter.

Under the patronage of the lower army, Bao Hong, took advantage of the emperor's favor and acted with unbridled embezzlement and bribery, undermining Huang Wan's plans in Yuzhou.

Yuan Shao, the Commandant of the Central Army, was ordered to go to Xu and Yan to gather troops, but he did not return early. As a result, He Jin, after receiving a hundred chariots and tiger-like warriors with axes, refused to go to Liangzhou to supervise the battle because Yuan Shao had not returned, and is still staying in Luoyang.

The military commander Jian Shuo was even more foolish, always targeting either Liu Bei or Yuan Shao. After Liu Bei and Yuan Shao left, he turned on Cao Cao, targeting his own people. Did he expect Liu Bei, Yuan Shao, and Cao Cao to all go and join He Jin?

Although Cao Cao, the Commandant of the Army, did not cause any trouble, it was even more infuriating that he neither caused trouble nor did he do anything important, but instead just stayed neutral and protected himself. Where did his former boldness in beating up the powerful go?
If Liu Bei hadn't been busy suppressing the Yellow Turbans and eliminating powerful clans in Yuzhou, Liu Hong would have wanted to disband the Xiyuan Army directly.

Spending so much money and mobilizing so many brave warriors from various prefectures and counties, only to end up with a bunch of useless people who "cherish their lives when it comes to great things, but are willing to risk their lives for small gains"?

The ruthless execution of Bao Hong was a display of power, as was the direct promotion of Liu Bei to the rank of lower-ranking general. Liu Hong was practically telling Jian Shuo, "If you can do it, do it; if you can't, get out."

Jian Shuo dared not leave.

He was originally just a minor eunuch with some martial arts skills, but by chance, he was spotted by Liu Hong and promoted to a position far exceeding his ability limit.

If he were to leave, Jian Shuo would either be expelled from the palace or relegated to menial tasks such as serving tea, emptying chamber pots, running errands, and delivering messages.

Once a person has attained a high position and enjoyed the life of power and wealth, they will absolutely not give up the power they have gained to go back to doing dirty, tiring, and lowly jobs with no status.

This is human nature!
If Jian Shuo does not want to lose power, the Xiyuan Army must exist; without the Xiyuan Army, Jian Shuo will be nothing.

Just as Jian Shuo was racking his brains to figure out how to get out of his predicament, Liu Bei suddenly slammed his fist on the table and stood up, glaring at him and shouting: "The General's words are reasonable! The Han dynasty has declined, and treacherous officials have caused disaster; the country is in chaos and the years are full of famine, and the four directions are in turmoil. After the Yellow Turban Rebellion, not only can the people of the world not live in peace and prosperity, but they also cannot get enough to eat or wear, to the point that there are corpses of the starving everywhere and frozen bones on the roads."

"This is all because corrupt officials hold high office; beasts feast on the riches of the court. Wolves and dogs hold sway; sycophants and lackeys wield power. As a result, the nation is in ruins and the people suffer terribly."

"Since we are valued by His Majesty, we should purge the treacherous officials from the court for His Majesty. I declare here today: if the Imperial Army intends to eliminate the treacherous officials, wherever the command flag points, I will lead the charge without hesitation!"

His impassioned speech shocked the entire audience.

Whether it was Jian Shuo, Cao Cao, Chunyu Qiong, or Xia Mou, Zhao Rong, and Feng Fang, they were all awestruck by Liu Bei's bold words.

Cao Cao stared at Liu Bei in astonishment, his mind filled with questions.

When did Liu Bei and Jian Shuo become so close?
Is he drunk?
This is not right either!
How could I be drunk after only drinking a few bottles of wine?

Willing to lead from the front for Jian Shuo, is this really the Liu Bei that Cao Cao knows?
Where is the spirit you had your second brother display when he performed a sword dance at the banquet two months ago?
Meanwhile, in the main seat, Jian Shuo was stunned by Liu Bei's imposing presence, which was as imposing as a mountain.

Wait, am I still half asleep?

Should I slap myself?

(End of this chapter)