NOVPUBHow do you set up a group? Does anyone know? I’ve been messing with QQ for quite some time and still can’t figure it out...
With that one sentence, Gan Ning’s mood improved tremendously, feeling that the Lü family greatly valued him and that it was all just a misunderstanding.
"Zhongkang, untie the ropes for Xingba," Chen Xi said, turning his head to Xuu Chu, knowing that there was nothing to worry about when Xuu Chu was by his side, even if Gan Ning lashed out.
"I apologize for before," said Xuu Chu as he clasped his fist, then he untied Gan Ning’s ropes and released the seal on his inner qi.
"Let’s have a match on the water when there’s a chance!" Gan Ning accepted Xuu Chu’s apology but was still unhappy about his defeat. He believed he could defeat Xuu Chu on the water.
"I wonder if what I said earlier will make Lord Xuande hold a grudge against me," Gan Ning said to Chen Xi, looking somewhat dejected—a far cry from his earlier boldness, especially since it had been a misunderstanding and he had insulted Liu Bei in front of others. In this era, face was more important than life itself.
"The person who dares to issue a Talent Recruitment Order would have died of anger long ago if he had just a bit of narrow-mindedness. Talent Recruitment Orders are meant for remote and backward places where sages are not found. Only a monarch with great ambitions would dare to do such a thing. The kind of people attracted by this are all proud and arrogant lunatics or conceited geniuses. Other characters wouldn’t have the courage to take it on!" Chen Xi said with a laugh, "Do you think King Zhao of Yan or Duke Xiao of Qin would be petty?"
"Now that you mention it, you seem to have a point. But in that case, what about the other scholars who flocked to Mount Tai?" Gan Ning nodded, agreeing with this reasoning. The Talent Recruitment Order would inevitably attract those who others dared not accept. If they were brimming with talent and behaved in a way that conformed to the norms of ordinary people, why would they wait for the Talent Recruitment Order? They would have already been recruited.
"For capable people, it doesn’t matter where they work. But where there’s a Talent Recruitment Order, there are bound to be vacancies. It’s as simple as that," said Chen Xi with a smile. "You also know which category Xingba belongs to."
"Since leaving Sichuan, I thought I was unmatched in the world, but then on the banks of the Yangtze River, I was confronted by a white-haired old man. Within ten moves, I was left powerless. Later, on the river surface, I barely overcame Zhou Tai after more than a hundred rounds... And now this..." As he spoke, Gan Ning turned and looked at Xuu Chu, his eyes ablaze with the desire to battle. He wanted to fight Xuu Chu on water and gauge his strength compared to the white-haired man—Lyu Bu’s combat power was something he could still estimate somehow.
"The White-Haired Demon King?" Chen Xi tilted his head, thinking, and soon realized who Gan Ning must have encountered—almost certainly Huang Zhong, the White-Haired Demon King. Compared to Lyu Bu’s combat power, Huang Zhong, who was at his peak and might even be stronger than Lyu Bu, would have no trouble overwhelming Gan Ning within ten moves, especially since Gan Ning was overconfident upon first leaving Sichuan. True to his estimation, Gan Ning might end up tragically like Hua Xiong when facing Guan Yu...
"Steady yourself, Xingba. It’s already October, and in more than ten days, Zilong, Yunchang, Yide, and Ziyi will all be withdrawing from Qingzhou. Then you’ll have a chance to exchange pointers with them. As for now, rest and heal up. Lord Xuande is very interested in his naval admiral, so don’t forget your manners," Chen Xi said with a smile, while secretly laughing to himself, thinking these people would definitely show Gan Ning what joyful living meant.
Gan Ning glanced at Xuu Chu and loudly proclaimed, "Alright, I’ll wait for more than ten days, then we’ll see who’s stronger."
Xuu Chu silently turned away without joining the conversation. Not to mention you, Gan Ning, even Lyu Bu would have problems withstanding our group fighting in succession, especially Zhao Zilong—he’s the very type who would completely overpower you...
Gan Ning was blissfully unaware of the miserable days that lay ahead, instead waiting excitedly for Zhao Yun and the others to return and spar with him.
"Since it’s agreed upon, Xingba, you shall accompany me to meet Lord Xuande and Lul Jicai. As for the matter of the salt merchants, please keep it to yourself, as these are Lord Xuande’s funds for managing Qingzhou," Chen Xi said to Gan Ning with a cupped-fist salute.
"Absolutely, all the men under my command are Han I’ve brought from West River, and they’ll never spoil Lord Xuande’s grand plans. Please lead me to meet Lord Xuande and Lul Jicai, I am willing to accept any punishment," Gan Ning replied with a respectful bow, showing that this man, despite his arrogance, wasn’t stubborn.
"Good, Lord Xuande has already dealt with this matter while you were in slumber, taking all the responsibility upon himself, so Xingba need not worry. Lul Jicai isn’t someone who cannot appreciate kindness; he won’t delve into this," said Chen Xi with a smile.
Having said that, Chen Xi led Gan Ning towards Liu Bei’s house, anticipating yet another mundane mutton stew in a bronze cauldron.
As expected, Liu Bei had prepared mutton stew in a bronze cauldron—a menu lacking any distinctiveness. However, seeing Lul Jun’s satisfied expression, it was evident he had no interest in the variety of dishes, but was highly content with the level of hospitality—a high standard indeed!
Chen Xi considered that among all the feudal lords, it seemed only Liu Bei, a Han Imperial Kinsman, indulged in such extravagances. On reflecting, he realized that when Yuan Shao ate beef stewed in a bronze cauldron at the Alliance Hierarch’s camp, it was already an excess. Perhaps the Alliance Hierarch’s position justified the indulgence, yet considering the forged imperial edicts, dining with a bronze cauldron seemed trifling in comparison. In times past, such behavior would have led swiftly to execution.
This was precisely why Lul Jun held even greater satisfaction with Liu Bei. Not only had the latter brought out such a valuable item, it showed genuine esteem. The elaborate apologies weren’t just empty words. With just this meal, it could be said that not only had his entourage not suffered any loss, but even if all the housekeepers and servants had perished, he should set aside any grievances.
"Jicai, Xingba was unaware of this affair, hence the blunder. Here, Lord Xuande offers a toast as a small gesture of apology," Liu Bei said, raising his cup from afar before taking a drink.
It was an exchange of courtesies among the noted scholars; as long as you give face to others, they will certainly reciprocate. Chen Xi had already suggested to Liu Bei that for those of mediocre ability yet of world-renowned status, the key was to lower one’s stance, offering a sense of honored surprise. If your status precluded such humility, then at least let the other party feel a sense of spring warmth—make them happy, and everything else would be negotiable.
Liu Bei’s current actions had indeed given Lul Jun a sense of honored surprise—an event graced with the highest standard of hospitality, and initiated by a toast of respect from an elder, elevated him to the clouds. Though no flattering words were spoken, actions often moved people more than words could.
By the time Chen Xi arrived with Gan Ning, Lul Jun had already shared his heart with Liu Bei, even stating he would heavily invest in Mount Tai upon his return. He frequently inquired about any needs Liu Bei had for Mount Tai, offering to assist in procuring whatever was lacking. Upon hearing of a shortage of grain, Lul Jun readily offered to purchase surplus grain from other families in the sparsely populated, highly fertile lands of Eastern Wu, as long as Liu Bei could accommodate it.
"Warrior Gan, please drink this cup. You have not mistreated us in the slightest during our journey, and you pursued your ardent desire to serve your country. As for Jicai, due to the Lul family’s century-old reputation, he couldn’t speak frankly, leading all present here to misunderstand. With this drink, let us become friends!" Seeing Gan Ning’s arrival, Lul Jun picked up his cup, walked over, and spoke with solemnity.
