Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Jade Gentleman Discusses Power

"Xuzhou?" Liu Bei was somewhat surprised; in his plans for the future, he had never considered Xuzhou. The reason was simple: compared to other impoverished, war-torn regions, Xuzhou was a prosperous and stable land. But precisely because of this, it was inevitably a place fiercely contested by powerful factions.

With only a few thousand soldiers and generals no more than Guan and Zhang, how could he possibly compete with others for such a prize?

"Is the difficulty not too great? I do not quite understand; I ask you, Yu'er, to enlighten me."

Though he was the elder, he addressed Yu’er with such respect—truly, Liu Bei was Liu Bei.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yu grew even more tense, his mind working swiftly as he began to strategize wholeheartedly for Liu Bei.

"If you wish for success, nothing matters more than timing, advantage, and unity. At present, Uncle, you possess none of these: no opportune moment, no advantageous land, and not yet the support of people. Naturally, it seems you have little hope of entering Xuzhou." As he spoke, a petal, lifted by Zhang Yu’s hand, drifted to the fire, gliding gently from his fingers and vanishing in the flames.

Picking up another petal, Zhang Yu continued, "Make friends with Yuan Shao; he will surely unify Hebei in time, and you will inevitably have use for him. If, due to Gongsun Bogui, it is inconvenient to show your intentions openly, then consider extending him a favor in secret."

"Yuan Shao?" Liu Bei was again doubtful, his brows furrowed into a small mountain. "Where does he base his power?"

"Jizhou," Zhang Yu replied succinctly, feigning profundity.

"Jizhou may be small, but its troops are well-trained and its granaries full. Han Fu may have little talent, but his subordinates are many and capable. Yuan Benchu, though born to illustrious lineage—his family renowned for four generations of high office—is now a stranger here, his soldiers weary. To seize Jizhou is extremely difficult." He shook his head, as if wavering.

"As your nephew, I may not wish to follow you in your wandering, but my heart is set on helping you avoid needless detours. I will speak freely; whether you believe me is your choice..."

Liu Bei’s hesitation was plain to Zhang Yu, who comforted himself before continuing, "This is only my conjecture; you may observe how things unfold."

"Very well. Then how might one possess the timing, the advantage, and the unity needed to enter and rule Xuzhou?" Liu Bei followed the thread of Zhang Yu’s earlier words.

"Timing cannot be sought, only awaited; when the moment comes, seize it.

Advantage cannot be sought, only encountered; it is granted by nature, beyond human control.

Now, Uncle, what you can grasp is unity among people: recruiting talents, training troops, storing grain—this is to await the times that forge heroes. When the moment arrives, harness your accumulated strength and rise with the tide; you will surely become renowned throughout the land!"

Liu Bei smiled wryly at these words. "I know well the importance of talent, but even setting aside my current situation, even if I had money, troops, and a foothold, where would I find such talents?"

"I have two candidates, both skilled in civil and military affairs, whom I can recommend to you. If you can bring them under your command, the path to Xuzhou will be clear and open!"

"Who are they?" Hearing of such talents, Liu Bei was visibly excited.

"This first is Zhao Yun, styled Zilong, a native of Changshan, and my sworn brother. If I am not mistaken, he is presently on his way to join Gongsun Zan. You may seek him out; there is no need to mention you are my uncle, lest my brother not offer true allegiance. Simply treat him well, and you will find him as brave as my second and third uncles!"

Zhao Yun! Zhang Yu’s sworn brother, "Who in the world does not know him!"

Of course, Liu Bei had heard of his reputation; few in Hebei did not know the famed Jade Gentleman’s sworn brother. This year, visiting his sister’s house for the New Year, Liu Bei had intended to ask Zhang Yu about his whereabouts, hoping to recruit him. Unexpectedly, Zhang Yu brought it up himself, even claiming Zhao Yun’s valor rivaled that of Guan and Zhang. Liu Bei was delighted. "And who is the civil talent?"

"Dare I ask, Uncle, have you heard of Tian Feng, styled Yuanhao?"

"I believe I have heard the name; can you elaborate, Yu’er?"

"He is from Julu, learned and talented, with considerable reputation. He once resigned his post in anger at the corruption of eunuchs and the harm done to worthy ministers, returning home. Now he serves as a subordinate of Han Fu, Governor of Jizhou."

"But if he is already under Han Fu—"

Liu Bei’s words were cut off by Zhang Yu: "But his temperament is upright and unyielding, often offending his superiors. Among Han Fu and his officers, he is never well regarded; at this time, he is likely frustrated and discontent. If you invite him sincerely, there may well be a chance.

In all the world, who but my uncle could welcome such a strong-willed and talented man?"

Zhang Yu’s compliment was artful, and even Liu Bei, with all his depth, was swept up in visions of acquiring such talents, the conversation punctuated by another plum blossom petal dancing into the fire.

At last, Liu Bei realized something and looked at Zhang Yu with changed eyes.

"Who would have thought that tonight’s chance encounter after dinner with Yu’er would benefit me so greatly? For your guidance and enlightenment, I am deeply grateful." As he spoke, he bowed his head to express his thanks.

"Uncle, please don’t! I have always admired you, and to help you realize your great ambition is my honor—"

Oh no! What am I saying?

Liu Bei, overjoyed, declared, "Yu’er, would you be willing to accompany me to Pingyuan, to advise me at every moment by my side? I promise to listen to your counsel and appoint you as my chief strategist!"

At this time, Liu Bei had only Guan and Zhang for martial prowess, and the likes of Jian Yong for civil affairs—he lacked any true strategist. Now, seeing his nephew so accomplished, able to sketch out a brilliant blueprint with such ease, and with their family connection as well, Liu Bei could not help but speak out his offer in delight.

Zhang Yu struggled to keep his discomfort from showing on his face, closed his eyes as if in deep thought, and cursed inwardly, "What is this mess! Dug a hole and buried myself in it—this is Liu Bei for you, trapping me with a few words... How do I refuse? I really don't want—"

Just as he thought this, the door suddenly swung open!

"No! That’s nonsense!"

A woman’s voice, tinged with displeasure and urgency, rang out—it could only be Madam Liu, with Zhang Shiping behind her, unable to stop her in time.

"Yunu absolutely cannot go with you!"

"Sister?"

"Mother!"

After speaking, Madam Liu seemed to feel her words were inappropriate. Torn with emotion, she sat down on the couch and wiped away her tears.

Indeed, crying was the innate skill of the Liu family.

Zhang Yu sighed inwardly, then quickly joined his father in comforting his mother. After regaining her composure, she addressed Liu Bei:

"My Yunu is only seventeen; he has only recently recovered.

He has not yet spent proper days with his father and mother, nor enjoyed the childhood he deserves, and you intend to cruelly take him away from his sister! Like you, leaving home for five or six years without a word!

I know how difficult things are for you, and I am glad you have come so far.

But your path is one of hardship and peril—a life lived on the edge! I will not let Yunu follow you."

Her emotions surged as she spoke.

"Liu Bei! I pray for you every day, anxious and fearful, but that's my own burden. Have you thought about what it would mean for him to live those turbulent, wandering days with you? If one day... do you want your sister to live alone?

In the fourth year after you left home, with no word from you in all that time, I told myself, my brother has changed.

I can live without such a brother, but I cannot live without Yunu!

If you wish to take him away, don't even think about it!"