Three Kingdoms: Rebirth of Liu Bei, the Zhaolie

a few days later.

While Liu Bei and his men were teaching the twenty-eight chosen men archery, horsemanship, and close combat with swords and spears in Xu Wu Mountain, someone from the Nanshan Inn at the foot of the mountain reported that the caravan led by Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang, the great merchants of Zhongshan, had arrived.

Therefore, Liu Bei hurriedly led Jian Yong and Du Chang down the mountain to prepare to welcome Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang to the mountain stronghold for a talk.

We arrived at Nanshan Hotel.

Then they saw Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang, two wealthy merchants, standing at the store entrance.

At this time, the caravan had all entered the courtyard behind the hotel to rest.

After Du Chang arrived, he instructed the kitchen to expedite the preparation of food and wine to entertain the caravan's crew and the guards.

Seeing Liu Bei arrive on horseback, Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang smiled broadly and cupped their hands in greeting:

"Congratulations! Xuande has successfully captured Xu Wushan, bringing blessings to the people of this region."

Liu Bei dismounted and quickly bowed.

"Thanks to Brother Zhang and Brother Su, we were able to wipe out the bandits here."

"Exterminate..."

Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang were shocked upon hearing this, their eyes widening in disbelief: "Xuande, you've wiped out all the bandits on Xuwu Mountain?!"

Liu Bei smiled and said:

"Now, there isn't a single bandit left on Xuwu Mountain; they've all become honest people. Without their thieving nature, haven't they effectively wiped out the bandits?"

Du Chang, who was standing to the side, also laughed:

"Brother Zhang, Brother Su, Xuande has been telling me these past few days that it is easy to defeat the bandits in the mountains, but difficult to defeat the bandits in one's heart. We can use force to wipe out the bandits in the mountains, but the bandits in one's heart can only be removed through education and guidance."

"After we captured the mountain stronghold, we have been discussing with them how to achieve self-sufficiency. Only when the granaries are full can people know etiquette. Only when people are well-fed can they uphold moral principles and etiquette."

Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang nodded in approval upon hearing this.

"It seems I was right. Xuande is no ordinary man. This Xuwu Mountain is merely your testing ground, while your ambition lies in the entire world."

Zhang Shiping smiled and looked at Liu Bei.

Liu responded with a poem by Yuan Shikai:

"The dragon is hibernating in the wilderness, while the deer in the Central Plains are fat."

Those present quickly discerned Liu Bei's lofty ambitions from the poem.

They couldn't help but look at each other and burst into laughter.

The dragon lay dormant in the countryside, watching from afar as the fat deer ran across the Central Plains.

If the owner fails to take good care of this fat deer, then the people of the world will surely rise up and chase it away.

Those who dare to contend for the Central Plains are destined to be heroes of the world.

Zhang Shiping, Su Shuang, Du Chang, and others present gained a deeper understanding of Liu Bei, realizing that he had the ambition to restore order to the world, just as he had transformed the bandits and outlaws of Xuwu Mountain into respectable sons.

Liu Bei likened himself to a fierce dragon lurking in the countryside, unwilling to allow anyone to lay a finger on the fat deer raised by the Han dynasty.

Even if the Han Dynasty's fate is sealed, he will still strive to revive it three times.

"Xuande, Xuande, it is my great fortune to know you. A man's heroic spirit must be paired with fine wine to be truly unrestrained. Only strong liquor can dissolve the pent-up emotions in my heart."

As he spoke, he took Liu Bei's hand and walked towards the Nanshan Hotel.

Jian Yong, Du Chang, and Su Shuang followed closely behind.

The group then indulged in another round of heavy drinking at the Nanshan Hotel.

Fortunately, the alcohol content of wine from the late Han Dynasty was generally not high.

For those who have drunk Erguotou, drinking these other liquors is like drinking sweet fermented rice wine.

After drinking heartily and taking a short break, he mounted his steed and galloped wildly across the mountain ridges of Xuwu Mountain.

Zhang Shiping shouted all the way:

"happy!"

Dozens of miles passed in a flash.

Liu Bei, Du Chang, and Jian Yong, along with the two wealthy merchants Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang, arrived at the first checkpoint of the mountain stronghold.

Upon seeing this, the guard immediately opened the gate and let them pass.

The group rode in on horseback.

He rode his horse all the way to the fifth checkpoint before dismounting.

By this time, after a long run and with the mountain wind blowing fiercely, everyone had sobered up.

Climb the steps.

The group arrived at the mountain stronghold at the highest point of the North Mountain.

Standing by the railing, Zhang Shiping looked down at the Xuwushan mountain range and admired the boundless scenery, feeling even more delighted.

His breathing moved slightly:

"Xuande, I think I smell the fragrance of orchids..."

Liu Bei looked around and said:

"There are no orchids planted in the village. Perhaps they were carried up by the wind from the mountains."

Zhang Shiping smiled and said:

"The fragrance of orchids always brings joy and inspires longing for beauty. Xuande, you are like a noble and virtuous man, aloof from the world, like an orchid in a secluded valley, constantly spreading your fragrance even in remote places."

Su Shuang, standing to the side, pointed to a pine forest not far away and said:

"I see an aura of unwavering resilience in Xuande, much like a pine tree rooted in a rock. Even in the bitter cold, the pine stands tall and proud."

"Just like Xuande, who, despite living in a humble rural area, was still strong and capable, with outstanding martial arts skills, which inspired respect."

The two talked and nodded at each other, as if they had reached a consensus.

Liu Bei thought to himself: This boasting has made me feel quite lightheaded, as if I'm floating in a cloud of clouds...

So he asked:

"Brother Zhang, Brother Su, what do you two mean by those words?"

Zhang Shiping laughed heartily and said:

"Su Shuang and I have been discussing this all the way from Zhuojun to Yuyangjun, and now to Xu Wushan in Youbeipingjun. Now, we have finally made up our minds to help you achieve great things."

"We're businessmen. So, if you ever need anything financially, just let us know."

Liu Bei then realized: So they wanted to invest in me...

Like later venture capital executives, they always claimed: We don't invest in industries, we invest in people.

Liu Bei thought to himself: Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang's mindset at this moment must be like that of venture capitalists in later generations, who valued him as a person.

He was worried about the source of funds for military pay.

Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang just happened to offer themselves up.

Perhaps, like Lü Buwei, a wealthy merchant during the Warring States period, they saw Liu Bei as a "rare commodity" through the eyes of a businessman.

In short, if Liu Bei wanted to achieve hegemony in Youzhou, he would indeed need the help of wealthy merchants.

Especially the wealthy businessmen who agree with his ideals.

Just like these two prominent businessmen from Zhongshan, Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang.

Liu Bei was also very excited and immediately shouted:

"Bring out the Giant Sword and the Luminous Pearl!"

At that moment, in the main hall of the stronghold, Dongye Ban, holding the Giant Sword, and Xinyuan Jian, holding the luminous pearl, walked out together and came before Liu Bei.

Liu Bei first opened the wooden box and showed the luminous pearl to Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang:

"I am deeply grateful for your kindness, my second brother. As friends, we should reciprocate your hospitality. I have no way to repay you, so I can only offer you this luminous pearl. Perhaps you can enjoy it in your spare time."

Upon hearing this, Aragaki Ken immediately handed the wooden box to Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang.

Liu Bei had originally intended to discuss with the two wealthy merchants how to sell the luminous pearl, but upon hearing that they wanted to fund his grand scheme, he simply gave it to them and left it to them to do as they pleased.

Zhang Shiping took the luminous pearl out of the wooden box, examined it closely, and handed it to Su Shuang:

"This luminous pearl is quite valuable, perhaps worth millions of dollars."

Su Shuang also observed for a while and nodded, saying:

"It is indeed a top-grade luminous pearl. I am quite flattered by Xuande's generous gift."

Liu Bei laughed and said:

"A few small items may bring some pleasure. If you, my second brother, grow tired of them, you may sell them. Either way is fine."

Zhang Shiping nodded:

"Alright. We'll keep this luminous pearl for now. We'll act according to circumstances. When we need it, we'll sell it for money."

Liu Bei picked up the heavy, blade-like Juque sword again and said in a deep voice:

"This meeting has been very enjoyable. However, there is nothing to do for entertainment in this mountain stronghold. Please allow me to perform a sword dance."

"it is good."

Zhang Shiping nodded and said, "Su Shuang and I have never witnessed Xuande's swordsmanship in person. Today is a good day to see it."

Both men looked at the giant sword in Liu Bei's hand.

Liu Bei gripped the Juque sword with both hands, left where everyone was standing, and performed a two-handed sword technique.

His swordsmanship is fluid and graceful, with slashing, thrusting, and parrying movements accompanied by the whistling of the sword, making it both elegant and practical in combat.

When wielding a sword, the person and the sword become one, without any sense of separation.

The onlookers were all mesmerized and nodded in admiration.

Bathed in this atmosphere of chivalry and swordsmanship, a sense of heroism naturally rises in everyone's heart.

……

Zichu was a hostage among the feudal lords, living in poverty. Lü Buwei, a merchant in Handan, saw him and took pity on him, saying, "This is a rare commodity worth hoarding."

—Records of the Grand Historian