NOVPUBAs Chen Xi had guessed, after Tao Qian and Liu Bei arrived at the Government Office, Tao Qian brought Liu Bei to the seat, placing him in the main seat equal to his own, then hesitated for a moment before ordering Chen Deng to summon the great and small aristocratic families of Xuzhou.
"Xuande, what do you think of Xuzhou?" Tao Qian offered Liu Bei a cup of wine, then said with a beaming smile.
"Xuzhou is truly a land of wealth among the world, incomparable to ordinary provinces and counties," Liu Bei replied pragmatically, "However, it is mostly plains, and it cannot be defended for long without strong soldiers and capable generals."
"Xuande, you finally see things in more than one aspect. My Xuzhou is rich but still cannot compare with the prosperity of Mount Tai. When Xuande first entered Mount Tai, it was extremely poor, with neither people nor provisions. In just three years, Mount Tai has surpassed Nanyang to become the wealthiest among the provinces and counties." A trace of reminiscence flashed in Tao Qian’s eyes—how things change!
Back when Liu Bei was at Hulao Pass, he was nothing more than a small-time player. Though he had the name of being from the Imperial Clan, he did not even have his own documents. Now, Liu Bei commanded an elite force of over a hundred thousand and governed a population of five million, becoming a Feudal Lord of great renown in the Central Plains. Meanwhile, Tao Gongzu’s days were waning.
"This is all thanks to Zichuan’s abilities," Liu Bei laughed heartily. "Without Zichuan, I, Liu Xuande, could never have had such smooth sailing." Speaking thus, Liu Bei picked up his cup and offered Chen Xi a toast.
"Without Lord Xuande, I, Chen Zichuan, might not have been able to apply my learning," Chen Xi said calmly, then muttered to himself in a voice only he could hear, "Only you, Lord Xuande, would indulge me so."
Tao Qian observed this scene and sighed softly; harmony between ruler and minister is the fundamental factor for sustaining a legacy.
Chen Deng, expressionless, led the people of the great and small aristocratic families of Xuzhou to their seats. Many of them visibly shrank back at the sight of Liu Bei and Tao Qian, but at that moment, nobody pointed this out.
After all the aristocratic families had paid their respects to Tao Qian and Liu Bei, Tao Qian did not reprimand any of the family heads on the spot. Instead, he calmly enjoyed food and drink with Liu Bei. Soon after the music and dining had ended, Tao Qian ordered someone to bring the Xuzhou Official Seal to Liu Bei.
Sunx Qian followed his teacher, Lord Kang Cheng, trailing behind Zhao Yu, who was carrying the large seal of the Xuzhou Governor. Seeing this, Jia Xu and Li Youu exchanged glances, both relieved. With the great man present, even if Tao Qian were to die on the spot, no one could slander him. Sunx Qian didn’t show off or reveal his depth, but when it came to getting things done, he was truly meticulous.
Tao Qian, upon seeing Lord Kang Cheng, was taken aback. Then a smile appeared on his face. "Lord Kang Cheng has personally graced us with his presence, I am truly honored. Could you bear witness for me and Xuande, so that there will be no idle gossip later on?" He then ordered for a seat to be fetched and placed it to his right, inviting Zheng Xuan to sit.
[It seems Lord Kang Cheng has a good impression of Lord Xuande. It should be said that the great families of the Late Han, known for their teaching, all hold Lord Xuande in high regard—after all, one of Xuande’s vows is to enlighten the people, fulfilling the supreme ideal that countless sages since the Shang and Zhou have not achieved.]
Chen Xi chuckled to himself; indeed, after telling Zheng Xuan about the plan to enlighten the people, Sunx Qian managed to coax Zheng Xuan out of Xuzhou, who was historically reclusive and deeply immersed in classic studies. [With this development, Guann Ning, Wang Lie, and others could also be brought in. With these people on board, there will be no loss in terms of moral authority.]
"I have come here precisely to be a witness. I, too, want to see what kind of person Liu Xuande, who vows to open the minds of the people for all under heaven, really is." Zheng Xuan’s words were not polite, yet they clearly displayed his preference.
"Lord Kang Cheng mocks me, but I, Liu Xuande, also long to witness such a world. If the great sages before us have strived for it, why shouldn’t I, Liu Xuande, give it my all upon seeing a glimmer of hope?" Liu Bei said with a bright laugh, giving Zheng Xuan a bow.
In the Han Dynasty, civil and military achievements were not separate, and the Six Arts of the Gentleman were even more indispensable. Zheng Xuan, who epitomized these accomplishments, naturally understood something about physiognomy as well. Looking at Liu Bei’s broad and magnanimous face, he laughed heartily, "I’ve heard that Lord Xuande has an academy that still lacks a headmaster. Would the old man be too presumptuous to offer himself for the position?"
"Should Lord Kang Cheng wish to come, I would certainly make all preparations to receive you," Liu Bei said, his face showing delight, before speaking with utmost seriousness. He was indeed in need of a true Great Confucian Scholar to preside over the Academy of Mount Tai.
"Good, good, good!" Zheng Xuan nodded, then turned his gaze to Tao Qian.
Tao Qian picked up the Xuzhou Governor’s seal ribbon and gently caressed it, "Xuande, I wish for you to become the Governor of Xuzhou."
"Lord Tao..." Although Liu Bei had been mentally prepared, he was still startled when Tao Qian directly handed over the seal ribbon, which represented the power of Xuzhou, and was momentarily at a loss.
"Xuande, do not decline. I, Tao Qian, am no longer capable. Before I die, I wish to find a successor who can carry on my ideals. Your earlier campaign against Yuan Gonglu did upset me, thus our interactions lessened, and even when selecting a successor, I was misdirected," Tao Qian spoke without reservation. Should it be said that ’a man’s words are good when he is about to die’?
"Xuande is terrified..." Liu Bei said with a wry smile. What to say about Yuan Shu’s attack on Liu Biao? Even without Cao Cao’s machinations, Liu Bei wouldn’t have easily allowed Yuan Shu to succeed.
"Cao Mengde harbors wolf-like ambitions; although he has had moments of benevolence, these cannot suppress his inherently tyrannical nature. Yet, his resolve is strong, and I do not know if he will improve after this. It’s a shame; I truly thought he was the most suitable candidate at first," Tao Qian shook his head, picking up the seal ribbon that signified the power of the Xuzhou Governor and firmly stuffed it into Liu Bei’s hands. At this point, there was no need for reservations, and Liu Bei would not mind these things anymore.
"Take it. Whether it is said that the virtuous should occupy it, or the capable, or that the Han territories belong to the Han, you, Liu Xuande, are the most suitable candidate. Do not refuse it. Please look after my two sons, care for the people of Xuzhou, and spare them from such disasters. As for my ideals, it’s better left unmentioned," Tao Qian said with a laugh, his concerns at the brink of death being only for his two sons, and for a successor with shared ideals...
"I, Bei, shall not fail the trust Lord Tao has placed in me!" Liu Bei hesitated only briefly before accepting the Xuzhou Governor’s official seal. As Tao Qian said, whether in virtue, talent, capability, or even lineage, he was the most suitable. Receiving the official seal, he said solemnly, "The Tao Family, under my protection, shall be sheltered as long as I live!"
"With words such as these from Xuande, I too can rest easy. Before this, I have already sent recommendation letters to Chang’an, and soon Xuande should receive His Majesty’s appointment," Tao Qian said, knowing there was no need to talk about perpetuity. Who could assure what happens a hundred years after Liu Bei? 𝘯𝘰𝑣𝘱𝑢𝘣.𝑐𝑜𝑚
Meanwhile, Zheng Xuan, acting as historian, documented this event thoroughly in the scrolls and signed his name. Should anyone seek to trouble Liu Bei over this matter in the future, Zheng Xuan’s document, backed by his reputation, would be available, making it difficult for anyone to find fault with Liu Bei henceforth.
"Congratulations to Lord Xuande!" Chen Xi stood up with a smile, and then the entire government office resounded with congratulatory voices. Many heads of the aristocratic family felt much relieved, as Tao Qian’s authoritarianism had been too terrifying for them. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote at Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendation tickets and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
