NOVPUBSitting opposite Li You, Liu Bei, who was looking at Li You dressed in a green silk robe, asked with a troubled expression, "Must Wen Ru really insist on this way?"
"There are three unfilial acts, and having no descendants is the greatest. Lady Gan, though virtuous, prudent and dignified, ultimately has no offspring. Please reconsider this matter, Lord Xuande," Li You advised with a smile on his face. "The inner residence is empty; it would be well for Lord Xuande to fill it with one or two more."
"But isn’t it somewhat impolite to tell other feudal lords’ officials so blatantly?" Liu Bei said with a wry smile.
"Appetite for food and sex are natural desires; how could it be impolite? Besides, for the sake of the well-being of the people under heaven, Lord Xuande needs to consider this," Li You brought out his most persuasive argument, knowing Liu Bei could hardly resist the idea of planning for the welfare of the people.
Seeing Liu Bei wavering, Li You continued to strike while the iron was hot, "To exchange a moment’s personal honor or disgrace for the early well-being of the people, and also to have beautiful women in your embrace – this is no loss, Lord Xuande. Do not hesitate."
Liu Bei gave a bitter smile, unable to refute Li You, and with no other choice, he nodded in agreement, "If that’s the case, then let’s see how Wen Ru performs. However, if possible, please save some face for Xuande."
"Of course, of course," Li You said with a warm smile surfacing on his face. He would say what needed to be said when the time came; as long as he truly had Liu Bei’s best interests at heart, even if Liu Bei scolded him later, it would be but a small matter, easily forgotten in a couple of days.
"My lord, wait here, I’ll go to welcome Ju Gong on your behalf," Li You said with a smile, knowing that from now on, every step must be taken with caution. If he could present Ju Shou with a conclusion that Liu Bei’s concerns were unfounded, it would potentially deal a lethal blow to Yuan Shao. Well, a lethal blow was wishful thinking, but at least it might lead Yuan Shao to underestimate Liu Bei, giving Liu Bei more time to develop. Later, when the time came to subdue the north, less prime grain-producing land would be destroyed. 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝔭𝔲𝔟.𝖈𝖔𝔪
"Mount Tai’s Li Wenru greets Ju Gongyu of Jizhou. Lord Xuande invites you. General Hua, you may wait outside the door, there’s no need to come in," Li You said to Ju Shou and Hua Xiong in the tone of an attendant close to the emperor.
Ju Shou smiled and gave a polite bow, having some guesses about Li You’s identity. It seemed that only a favored courtier, and one held in exceptionally high regard, could arrange things for Hua Xiong, one of Liu Bei’s generals, in such a way.
Hua Xiong was clearly taken aback by Li You’s command but did not say anything further, given it was Li You who had spoken, and turned directly to leave.
The obvious confusion on Hua Xiong’s face led Ju Shou to perceive more; that is, Li You’s status was clearly higher than Hua Xiong’s, and although Hua Xiong felt he had the right to enter, he was stopped and surprisingly did not argue but left immediately. This was quite interesting.
[The intelligence from Jizhou regarding this Li Wenru contained only one comment: Liu Bei’s Attendant. But even Chen Zichuan, Liu Bei’s military adviser, could not speak to Hua Xiong, who commanded a legion, in such a manner. It seems that the atmosphere within Mount Tai is not as harmonious as the rumors suggest.]
Ju Shou was mainly unaware of the level of respect Hua Xiong had for Li You in his heart. After all, within the whole of Mount Tai, probably only Li You beside Liu Bei could speak to Hua Xiong with such authority. Unlike Liu Bei’s unquestioning and all-encompassing acceptance, Li You’s orders, even if unreasonable, could be rationalized by Hua Xiong. Precisely because of this, it was Li Wenru who appeared here, not Chen Zichuan.
Sometimes, only absolute sincerity can be the most deceiving. With Hua Xiong, Li You did not need any act; he just played it real, and every deception hit the mark!
"Mount Tai’s Li Wenru, long have I heard of you." Ju Shou raised his hand and gave Li You a deep bow.
"Haha, to receive such high praise from Ju Gong, I truly feel unworthy!" Li You said with feigned modesty, even as he gladly accepted Ju Shou’s courtesies, displaying an expression of smug satisfaction on his face while internally cursing, "This Ju Gongyu is no simple character either, still testing me."
"Let’s see what this fellow is really up to." Ju Shou was also a cautious man. Although many signs had made him realize that Liu Bei was not as benevolent as rumors claimed, and Mount Tai was not as harmonious as people said, as a sage, he knew he needed to be sufficiently cautious.
"Lord Xuande, Yuan Benchu’s Chief Secretary Ju Gongyu from Jizhou has arrived." Li You, leading Ju Shou through a doorway, presented him with the sight of Liu Bei, seated before a large crystal desk, brewing tea with a crystal teapot and cup. The spectacle made Ju Shou’s heart skip a beat!
Observing the ease with which Liu Bei handled the tea utensils, it was clear this was not a pretense of nonchalance but a genuine disregard for their opulence. Accustomed to such luxury, Ju Shou realized his former apprehension of Liu Bei was entirely unnecessary — the Liu Bei idling with the teapot before him was obviously a spent force, frittering away his spirit in frivolous pursuits!
Li You was quite pleased with Liu Bei’s current behavior. Initially, Liu Bei did not dare to touch the teapot and cup prepared by Chen Xi; after breaking a few by accident while having tea with Chen Xi, he grew indifferent. Sometimes, treating an object others see as precious with ordinary regard reveals a person’s casual nature. In Ju Shou’s view, how could a Liu Bei accustomed to such a life endure hardships?
"Ju Gongyu of Jizhou pays his respects to Lord Xuande." Ju Shou hastily bowed to Liu Bei, as if he had just come to his senses, "Having never beheld such rare treasures, I was momentarily dazzled and neglected proper courtesies. I beg Lord Xuande’s forgiveness for my rudeness."
"Haha, Gongyu, what do you think of my residence?" Liu Bei asked with a laugh.
"It is the epitome of splendor; the mortal world lacks any that could compare." Ju Shou replied honestly, "It’s as if heaven itself has fashioned it. May I ask how much Lord Xuande has spent to construct this abode?"
"Hahaha, what’s a trifling sum to speak of?" Liu Bei laughed heartily, then his expression turned somewhat melancholic as he continued, "Alas, though I possess a grand mansion, I have no heirs. I am a descendant of King Jing of Zhongshan, and yet my rear courtyard is desolate. It shames my ancestor that I built such a splendid palace without extending my lineage!"
In an instant, Ju Shou understood what Liu Bei meant. King Jing of Zhongshan, Liu Sheng — a man who had a superhuman capacity for siring offspring, fathering no less than a hundred and twenty sons, and was known for commanding the feudal lords to listen to music by day and admire dancing beauties by night. What kind of character was he? Renowned as a king who delighted in wine and the pleasures of the inner chamber, the present Liu Bei was merely a replica of his ancestor. Truly, the same blood runs deep!
This time Ju Shou harbored no doubts; this was a question asked in front of outer officials. Once word spread of Liu Bei’s fondness for pleasure, his reputation would be set in stone. However, if he emulated his ancestor, there could really be no reasonable objection to it.
With a smile, Ju Shou promised to ask Yuan Shao to send some beauties to Liu Bei upon his return to Jizhou to foster good relations between their households. Liu Bei eagerly agreed to Ju Shou’s proposal for a ceasefire and the return of Leling and other territories, stating that Gongsun Zan, who even contemplated killing his own cousin, truly failed the duties of a son and kin.
When Liu Bei had learned of Gongsun Zan’s intention to eliminate Liu Yu, he indeed felt some dissatisfaction with Gongsun Zan. After all, Liu Yu had been a great help to Liu Bei, and they were also of the same clan!
Originally, when Liu Bei had solicited support through a written request, Liu Yu had been helpful. This made Liu Bei feel that Gongsun Zan was overstepping, but despite his complaints, Liu Bei did not cut off the supply of grain to Gongsun Zan’s forces.
After all, Liu Yu was not killed but merely frightened. Thus, holding a deep grudge, Liu Bei wrote a letter detailing Gongsun Zan’s transgressions, hoping Gongsun Zan would be more rational in the future. As for the effect, in the eyes of Li You and others, Gongsun Zan only seemed to have intensified his actions.
Having established the alliance, Li You showed Ju Shou out the door and then instructed the city management to escort him to the Fenggao Relay Station. He turned back, planning to console Liu Bei, who had lost face that day. Although Liu Bei indeed had a penchant for opulence and enjoyed frolicking with dogs and cocks, he had never considered pursuing the profligate ways of his ancestor! Therefore, such imitation of his ancestor seemed rather embarrassing to Liu Bei! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
