Mythical Three Kingdoms

Before Zhao Yun returned, Chen Xi had made a trip to Liu Bei’s home. It was the first time he had displayed war weariness. Even his normally tranquil and untroubled state of mind could be perturbed by concerns for his wife and children. Not everyone is like Le Yang or Yiya, those abnormal creatures.

When Chen Xi entered Liu Bei’s home, he faced no obstructions whatsoever, nor was he questioned by anybody. Xuu Chu had gone to the frontlines, and Anguo had departed for Jingzhou. The only ones left to guard Liu Bei were the city’s administrative troops and the Xuu Family braves led by Xuu Chu’s brother, Xuu Ding. However, both groups completely ignored Chen Xi’s actions.

”Zichuan?” Liu Bei, somewhat puzzled, asked as Chen Xi suddenly appeared in his home. Beside him, the women of the Zhang Clan and Lady Gan did not retreat either.

”Lord Xuande, may I request Zijing to go?” Chen Xi pondered for a moment before speaking.

”No, Zijing’s status is sufficient, but he lacks command experience. You understand Yunchang’s temperament; if Zijing goes, it’ll cause trouble.” Liu Bei shook his head. His insight into people was astute. He believed that Lub Su could indeed become an outstanding commander-in-chief, but compared to Lub Su’s abilities in civil affairs, Liu Bei felt it was best not to waste time at the moment.

Chen Xi frowned. Everyone knew Guan Yu’s personality. Although Guan Yu might respect Lub Su in civil matters, getting him to listen to Lub Su’s military commands without demonstrating his capabilities several times would be difficult.

”However, I do have a compromise,” Liu Bei said after giving a glance at Lady Gan and thinking for a moment.

”A compromise?” Chen Xi asked, puzzled.

”Zichuan, you come to ask me now, presumably because of your lady’s situation. Our circumstances are the same, and I can sympathize. You can have your lady accompany the army,” Liu Bei solemnly suggested.

”No,” Chen Xi refused decisively. With such turmoil, it was best not to tempt fate—absolutely not.

”Hear me out,” Liu Bei gestured with his hand, ”I understand your concerns, but having reviewed your plans, I see no issues with your lady going with you. After all, your arrival will be for the construction of a new city, with city walls for protection and tens of thousands of troops for defense. With Yunchang, Zilong, and others present, any risk in such conditions would mean there’s no safe place left in this world.”

Chen Xi furrowed his brow, ”Let me think about it.”

”Changing the commander is out of the question, and since our situations are similar, there’s only this option,” Liu Bei said helplessly, ”We can delay the deployment so that you can join your lady after the Inner City is completed. Fengxiao and others have already stabilized the situation. Yuan Benchu is also deploying troops. With the three-way restraint, significant progress will be difficult.”

Chen Xi silently analyzed the situation. Although his grasp on Military Strategy wasn’t the best, after so long in this era, he had been continuously learning. He understood many things, and was quite confident in defending a city siege.

”In that case, it might be possible,” Chen Xi nodded, ”However, I must relocate my entire family there.”

Liu Bei nodded, agreeing immediately to Chen Xi’s proposal, ”Your lady needs care, and you should not favor one and neglect the other.”

Chen Xi bowed deeply to Liu Bei, ”Lord Xuande, please write the document, requesting the citizens of Qingzhou, Mount Tai, and Xuzhou to voluntarily relocate to Yanzhou Linyi. I will also draw in refugees from Bingzhou and Yanzhou as well as the Black Mountain Yellow Turbans to construct Xincheng. In the future, it shall serve as our bridgehead for deploying troops to Ji Province and Wei Commandery.”

”Go, I feel at ease with you holding the fort there. If we were to wage war against Jizhou, deploying troops from Mount Tai would always be too far. Linyi is very good, very good indeed,” Liu Bei said with a smile, clearly understanding that a multi-pronged attack against Yuan Shao was imperative.

”I will do it well,” Chen Xi said earnestly. ”If Liu Ziyang returns from his mission to support the king, I will have him stay in Linyi.”

”No need, we don’t require such formalities between us,” Liu Bei waved his hand and replied. ”I have my confidence. You and I have very similar paths, and our shared ideals mean we don’t need such bonds to maintain our connection!”

”Thank you,” Chen Xi sighed softly. Liu Bei was still Liu Bei, and he remained himself. Everyone had not changed. The oath to their ancestors might have burdened Liu Bei with enormous pressure, but it also made his resolve unshakeable.

”Go on, make sure you write a letter during the New Year. Don’t go off to Linyi, get held up by a beauty, and forget about me, your friend who shares your ideals and path,” Liu Bei said carelessly, waving his hand as if to shoo Chen Xi away. However, the last word ’friend’ left Chen Xi full of contemplation.

After Chen Xi left, Zhang Clan looked at Liu Bei, wanting to say something but stopping herself several times until Liu Bei finally noticed her expression.

”Are you wondering why I would agree and not impose any restrictions on Zichuan?” Liu Bei asked with a smile.

Zhang Clan didn’t answer, but the curiosity plainly writ on her face said it all.

”Because it’s unnecessary. Zichuan and I share the same ideals, we’re like-minded. We don’t need such things, and additionally, I disdain suspicion. I trust him!” Liu Bei said calmly, with a flash of intense confidence in his eyes. ”Similarly, I trust in myself. I won’t misjudge others!”

Following this, in the midst of Zhang Clan’s perplexed gaze, a strong confidence emanated from Liu Bei, ”Not only will I not doubt Zichuan, but I also won’t doubt any ministers under my command. I believe that I can lead them to the ultimate glory. My goals are sufficient to unite them!”

Both Zhang Clan and Lady Gan were clearly puzzled, but Liu Bei chose not to elaborate any further.

As time passed in his high position, Liu Bei increasingly exuded the domineering aura of a Feudal Lord. However, these were merely external manifestations. Internally, it boiled down to a single phrase: a perennially unchanging heart.

Under the oath of years past, burdened with absolute pressure, Liu Bei’s heart was resolutely steadfast. He would not waver from his true self. He remained the same man, who had once sat on the ground, sharing drinks and competing with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Chen Xi.

It was only the exterior that had changed. Inside, he still maintained his original heart, his original benevolence. He was still that same Liu Xuande who had made grand vows and sworn oaths to the heavens. He believed in the transparency of heavenly principles and in the innate goodness of human nature. He also believed in treating others with sincerity and having them respond in kind and aimed to realize the ancient -- albeit disputed in reality -- ideal of the invincibility of the benevolent.

”Yuan Benchu, a battle between you and me is inevitable,” Liu Bei said calmly, looking north. He had discarded all hesitation, resolutely advancing towards the oath he had made at the beginning.

Perhaps Yuan Shao had done nothing wrong, and it wasn’t a matter of loyalty or disloyalty. Even Liu Bei was aware that some of his own actions could be deemed disloyal. But now, he believed in only one thing: whatever he did, the Great Han Dynasty would prosper, and whatever he did, the people would become wealthy. With that belief in mind, everything was clear and straightforward. (To be continued. If you like this novel, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian ). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)