Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Liu Bei spent two days in Jingzhou, where he and Liu Biao and others finally finalized the various arrangements for the campaign against Cao Cao. According to the plan, he was to lead Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and his former subordinates from Xinye to join the expedition. Simultaneously, he was to escort the late emperor's son, Liu Yang, to Xiangyang. After all the arrangements were finalized, Liu Bei returned to Xinye and discussed the matter with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and others.

After hearing this, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei felt that there was nothing wrong with it. Guan Yu stroked his beard and said, "It is always inconvenient for us soldiers to carry a child with us on the march. As a relative of the Han Dynasty, Liu Jingzhou will not treat the young master badly. Let him stay."

However, Zhao Yun frowned, his face showing worry. He said, "My lord, this is the only blood of the late emperor. If we leave him in Jingzhou without hesitation, we will be worried. If anything goes wrong, how will we explain it to the late emperor?"

Liu Bei sighed helplessly and said, "Zilong, why would I want to keep Liu Yang? I have argued for this, but Liu Biao and his men said the battlefield was too dangerous and Liu Yang would be safer in Jingzhou. This campaign against Cao Cao is a rare opportunity that we cannot miss."

After a pause, Liu Bei looked at Zhao Yun and said solemnly, "Zilong, you have always been thoughtful and cautious. I would like you to stay in Liu Qi's residence and take personal care of the young master to ensure the safety of the royal heir. You must live up to my trust."

Zhao Yun knelt on one knee, clasped his fists, and said, "Rest assured, my lord. I will do my utmost to protect the young master with my life. If anything goes wrong, I will bring my head to you!"

Liu Bei nodded with satisfaction, helped Zhao Yun to his feet, and said, "With Zilong here, I feel much more at ease. This time, in our campaign against Cao Cao, we shoulder a heavy responsibility. We must fight bravely on the battlefield while also ensuring Liu Yang's safety. Only in this way can we fulfill the late emperor's wishes and restore the Han Dynasty."

Afterwards, everyone discussed the details of the expedition. Zhang Fei, brandishing his Zhangba Snake Spear, declared loudly, "Brother, this time we're going to defeat Cao Cao. I, Zhang Fei, will utterly destroy him on the battlefield, leaving no trace of his armor behind. Let Cao Cao know how powerful we are!"

Guan Yu stroked his long beard, smiled slightly, and said, "Although Cao Cao's power is enormous, we brothers are united, and we have the support of Jingzhou. What is there to fear? This time, we must achieve great military success."

Liu Bei looked at his two brothers and said with great enthusiasm, "Alright! Let's work together, brothers. This time we must defeat Cao Cao and rid the Han Dynasty of this scourge!"

A few days later, Liu Bei led Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun and his old subordinates, and set out from Xinye to Xiangyang.

Liu Bei and his entourage, escorting Liu Yang, slowly advanced towards Xiangyang City. When they reached the west of Xiangyang City, they saw a group of young men from wealthy families in Jingzhou blocking the road, arguing fiercely and completely blocking the path.

Guan Yu frowned, feeling unhappy, and was about to step forward to drive them away, but Liu Bei stretched out his hand to stop him and signaled him to stay calm.

Looking closer, this group of young men from aristocratic families were dressed in finery and carried themselves with considerable arrogance. Leading the argument with Pang Tong was a young man in a brocade robe and a kerchief. He pointed at Pang Tong with disdain and said, "You ignorant brat! You don't even realize your status! How dare you speak so arrogantly?"

Pang Tong was not to be outdone. He held his head high and responded loudly, "You all come from aristocratic families in Jingzhou. You should understand the greater good, but you are arguing endlessly for your own selfish interests. It's really ridiculous!"

They were arguing over the future of Jingzhou. As conflict between various factions grew, the aristocratic families, grappling with the strategic location of Jingzhou, had their own plans. Some believed they should maintain peace with Cao Cao to preserve their family's prosperity and wealth. After all, Cao Cao's power was immense, and friendship with him would protect them from the ravages of war. Others advocated uniting with other vassal states to jointly resist Cao Cao, safeguarding the Han Dynasty's legitimacy and thus enhancing their family's status in these turbulent times. Each faction held its own view, refusing to yield.

At this time, Pang Tong was an unknown man, not yet known as the "Phoenix Child." He advocated uniting the princes to attack Cao, believing that this move would not only conform to public opinion but also protect the future of the Han Dynasty. However, these young men from aristocratic families would not listen to a nobody like him and instead mocked him.

The aristocratic families relied on their deep roots in Jingzhou and the huge family power behind them. They were not afraid of the military generals such as Liu Bei and were unwilling to give way at all.

The young man sneered and said, "You think you can change our minds? Don't you think twice? You talk about uniting the princes, but they're so scheming against each other, how can they truly resist Cao? They're just pursuing their own interests, and in the end, it's us, the people of Jingzhou, who will suffer!"

Pang Tong's face flushed with anger as he retorted loudly, "Cao Cao is using the emperor to control the other princes. He's nominally a Han minister, but in reality he's a traitor! If we don't unite to defeat him and allow his power to grow, the people of the world will never have peace, and how can Jingzhou remain immune? As for the conflicts between the princes, as long as there's a wise leader to lead and explain the greater good, there's no need to worry about them not working together."

Everyone laughed when they heard this, and someone shouted, "You are just talking big!"

Liu Bei listened quietly, secretly amazed by Pang Tong's insights. He stepped forward, bowed to the crowd, and spoke loudly, "Everyone, I am Liu Bei, a kinsman of the Han Dynasty. Now that the Han Dynasty is in decline and Cao Cao is monopolizing power, he is the public enemy of the world. Although I am not talented, I am willing to join forces with the people of all stripes to defeat Cao Cao and restore the Han Dynasty. I just heard what this gentleman said, and it is truly insightful. If you can put the greater good first, put aside past grudges, and discuss a grand plan together, it will be a blessing for Jingzhou and the Han Dynasty!"

When the nobles saw Liu Bei coming forward, they not only didn't restrain themselves, but actually intensified their outbursts. One of the sharp-faced young men sneered, "What kind of relative of the Han Dynasty are you? You're just a down-and-out warrior living in Xinye. How dare you talk about restoring the Han Dynasty? What a joke!"

When Zhang Fei heard this, his eyes widened with anger and he was furious. He waved the Zhangba Snake Spear in his hand and roared, "You rat, how dare you humiliate my brother like this! I will teach you a lesson today!" As he said that, he was about to rush forward.

Seeing this, the young men from the noble families showed a hint of fear on their faces, but they still pretended to be calm. Just as Zhang Fei was about to rush over, someone shouted, "Hero, spare my life!" Everyone immediately scattered like birds and beasts, running away without a trace.

Liu Bei quickly stopped Zhang Fei and said, "Third brother, don't be impulsive. They are just ignorant people. There is no need to bother with them."

Zhang Fei angrily put away his weapon and muttered, "Brother, how can we let them go so easily after they humiliated you so much!"

Liu Bei smiled slightly and said, "Third brother, those who achieve great things do not care about trivial matters. Our goal is to defeat Cao Cao and restore the Han Dynasty. Why should we get angry about these idle gossips?"

After saying this, Liu Bei looked at Pang Tong and said sincerely, "Sir, I deeply agree with what you just said. I wonder if you would be so kind as to discuss this with me in detail?"

Pang Tong squinted his eyes and glanced at Liu Bei with disdain, and said arrogantly: "Hmph, there are countless people who talk big but are nothing in the world, but I am completely different from them. I disdain to argue with others. No one can match my talent." After that, he led the donkey slowly to the grass beside him, lay down, and rested with the green grass as a pillow.

Liu Bei and his generals were stunned upon seeing this. Guan Yu frowned and whispered, "This man is truly rude." Liu Bei, however, remained calm, neither angry nor helpless. He simply stood quietly by, waving his palm-leaf fan to fan Pang Tong.

Pang Tong paid no attention to this and turned over to sleep on his other side. Liu Bei just kept on doing this, fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan, repeatedly, tirelessly, from the afternoon until the sun set and the sky darkened.

Finally, Pang Tong stretched himself and slowly woke up. He looked up and saw Liu Bei still fanning him with his palm-leaf fan. He couldn't help but say, "You're so boring. I don't even bother to pay attention to you, and you're still standing here."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei looked at Pang Tong calmly and said, "Sir, you are a man of great talent. I treat you with sincerity. I only hope that you can help me achieve great things and save the people of the world." Pang Tong's heart moved slightly after hearing this, and his originally disdainful expression softened slightly. He looked at Liu Bei thoughtfully, as if re-evaluating the man before him...

Pang Tong stretched lazily, turned over and sat up, looking directly at Liu Bei with a half-smile on his face. He said, "If we talk about the situation in the world, there are now many princes, and the forces of all parties are intertwined. Yuan Shao has been a minister for four generations. His disciples and former officials are all over the world. He has a large army and many generals. His strength should not be underestimated. He can be considered the overlord of a region. Cao Cao uses the emperor to control the princes. He is known as a treacherous hero. He is extremely wise and has many capable ministers and brave generals under his command. Sun Bofu of Jiangdong had the potential to be a leader, but unfortunately he died young. Now Sun Quan has inherited his foundation and controls Jiangdong, and his foundation is gradually becoming stable. Ma Chao of Xiliang, sits on the land of Xiliang and dominates Chang'an. He has a fierce reputation for bravery. With such a powerful enemy at our side, I wonder how you will deal with it?"

Liu Bei frowned slightly, lost in a brief moment of contemplation. Then, looking firmly at Pang Tong, he spoke slowly, "Although Yuan Shao has a large army and numerous generals, he is a man of many plans but few decisions. He is good at planning but indecisive, cherishing his life when pursuing great things and forgetting his life when he sees small gains. He is not a man who can accomplish great things. Cao Cao is nominally a Han minister, but in reality he is a Han traitor. He controls the government with treacherous tactics, and the people of the world dare not speak out. However, his power is too great to be confronted head-on. Sun Quan inherited the work of his father and brother and controls Jiangdong. The people are rich and the country is strong. He is also assisted by wise and capable people. It will be difficult to attack him in the short term. Ma Chao is brave, but his foundation is not stable. Moreover, the people in Xiliang are suffering. In the long run, there is also an opportunity to exploit."

After a pause, Liu Bei's expression grew heated as he continued, "Although I am not a man of talent, I have made it my mission to restore the Han Dynasty. I have always treated others with benevolence and kindness, and I am willing to recruit talented people from all over the world. I am well aware that my own strength is limited, but I firmly believe that he who wins the hearts of the people will win the world. Although powerful enemies now surround us, I am willing to use benevolence and righteousness as my banner to recruit heroes and heroes, and work together with you to first gain a foothold and then seek development. Internally, I will improve politics, appease the people, and accumulate strength. Externally, I will assess the situation and unite like-minded princes to fight Cao Cao together. When the time is right, I will eliminate the powerful enemies one by one, restore peace to the world, and restore the Han Dynasty. What do you think, sir?"

Upon hearing this, Pang Tong's eyes flickered with a subtle glint of approval, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly as he said, "Your Excellency's ambition is admirable. However, the world's situation is unpredictable, and achieving such a grand undertaking is no easy task. However, since you are determined, I will give you some time to consider it carefully."

When Liu Bei heard this, he was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "I sincerely ask for your advice, sir, and I hope you will give me some advice. I am willing to use you as my arm to discuss major plans and create great achievements together." After that, he bowed deeply to Pang Tong.