Chapter 16: When a Bird Is About to Die, Its Song Is Mournful (Please Continue Reading!)

Xuzhou, Xiapi.

Tao Qian, the Governor of Xuzhou, lay weak on his sickbed, his limbs powerless and his eyes clouded.

Standing around him were Mi Zhu, the Deputy Administrator of Donghai, and Chen Deng, the Captain of the Imperial Agricultural Guards.

These two men were Tao Qian’s trusted and loyal ministers, now entrusted with the grave responsibility of guardianship.

Tao Qian reached out and grasped Mi Zhu’s hand. Mi Zhu bent slightly and spoke softly:

“Governor Tao, please speak freely—whatever your orders, I shall follow them wholeheartedly.”

“I trust you will give your utmost effort,” Tao Qian said.

Though Mi Zhu came from a merchant family, he was an honest and upright gentleman.

Trusting Mi Zhu’s character, Tao Qian gritted his teeth and said with effort:

“After I pass, you must welcome Liu Bei into Xuzhou.”

“This province can only be pacified by Liu Bei!”

Mi Zhu nodded repeatedly, tears welling in his eyes:

“Rest assured, Governor. I will act according to your wishes.”

Tao Qian nodded, exhaling a long breath, then turned to Chen Deng.

“…Yuanlong.”

Chen Deng quickly stepped forward, bowed his head, and asked quietly,

“What orders do you have, Governor?”

Compared to Mi Zhu’s emotional tears, Chen Deng appeared much calmer.

He understood that after Tao Qian’s death, the situation in Xuzhou would inevitably undergo a reshuffling.

He and his family could not avoid being affected.

This was a matter Chen Deng had to consider carefully.

Tao Qian, gripping Chen Deng’s hand tightly as before, spoke earnestly:

“…I have governed Xuzhou for six years, yet have done little to benefit the people. Two years of warfare and bloodshed on the fields—these are all my sins.”

As the saying goes, a bird sings mournfully before it dies; a man speaks kindly before his end.

At this moment, Tao Qian had laid bare his heart before his trusted men.

The conflict between Tao Qian and Cao Cao could be summed up simply: “inept yet fond of scheming.”

In 194, during the conflict between the two Yuans, Cao Cao aligned with Yuan Shao’s forces, while Tao Qian sided with Yuan Shu.

Xuzhou bordered Yan Province and was a large commandery, so Cao Cao was bound to attack Tao Qian.

But it was indeed Tao Qian who struck first—and not honorably.

At that time, there was a man named Que Xuan, an ambitious figure aspiring to be emperor.

Tao Qian pretended to recognize Que Xuan as “emperor,” which pleased Que Xuan greatly, making him believe he was truly formidable since the governor had acknowledged him.

Then Tao Qian incited Que Xuan to attack Cao Cao.

Que Xuan, with a few thousand troops, heeded Tao Qian’s advice and raided the border of Yan Province, burning, killing, and pillaging.

***

However, Tao Qian soon turned on Que Xuan, sending troops to wipe him out.

He also seized the wealth that Que Xuan had taken from Cao Cao.

Then, placating Cao Cao, Tao Qian claimed he had not attacked him—that it was Que Xuan who did, and he merely acted to suppress a traitor.

But Cao Cao was no fool.

He saw through Tao Qian’s pretense—everyone knew Tao Qian was crying “thief” to cover his own misdeeds.

Thus, a full-scale war was imminent.

Unfortunately, Tao Qian was old and faced Cao Cao at the peak of his power, and in military matters, he was utterly outmatched.

Panicked, Tao Qian fell ill and gave up, refusing to rise again.

Fortunately, Liu Bei had rushed from Pingyuan to support Tao Qian, helping him weather the storm—without Liu Bei, Tao Qian might not have survived.

Now critically ill, Tao Qian wished to hand over Xuzhou to Liu Bei.

Partly out of selfishness—knowing Xuzhou was a mess and wanting to spare his two sons from trouble.

But also out of genuine gratitude toward Liu Bei, who had come to support the cause.

Moreover, Tao Qian truly believed that entrusting Xuzhou to Liu Bei was the best outcome for its people.

Was Tao Qian sincere?

He indeed felt guilt toward the people of Xuzhou.

His personnel arrangements showed he earnestly hoped Liu Bei would manage Xuzhou well.

He left Liu Bei two key talents.

One was the wealthy magnate Mi Zhu of Donghai; the other, the esteemed Chen Deng, from a prominent Xuzhou clan.

Mi Zhu was valuable for his family’s immense wealth—reviving Xuzhou would require funds, and they could only rely on the Mi family.

Chen Deng’s Chen clan was an old and influential family in Xuzhou, holding great prestige and sway.

Leaving these two to Liu Bei was a genuine act of kindness by Tao Qian.

“After I die, Yuanlong, please welcome Liu Bei into Xuzhou. He may hesitate.”

“You must wholeheartedly persuade him—not to fail Xuzhou.”

Chen Deng blinked thoughtfully, then nodded.

“Rest assured, Governor. I shall do exactly as you say!”

With Chen Deng’s assurance, Tao Qian finally relaxed.

After uttering “Do not fail Xuzhou,” his eyelids drooped, and he closed his eyes…

“Governor! Governor!!!”

Mi Zhu cried out loudly at the sight.

Thus ended the era of the great hero Tao Qian.

He was upright in character and honest in office, selecting and employing capable men, greatly contributing to Xuzhou’s prosperity.

Yet in his later years, his confrontations with Cao Cao were marked by poor decisions, bringing much suffering to Xuzhou.

His legacy was mixed.

Chen Deng and Mi Zhu began arranging Tao Qian’s funeral.

Meanwhile, Liu Bei had also arrived in Xuzhou.

***

Upon seeing Xiapi cloaked in mourning robes of white, Liu Bei exclaimed in shock:

“Alas! The Governor has died!”

He hurried with his men to the provincial capital to attend Tao Qian’s funeral.

Leading Xuzhou’s officials, headed by Mi Zhu and Chen Deng, many came to confer with Liu Bei, tears falling as they spoke of Cao Cao’s retreat and Tao Qian’s death.

The funeral lasted three days.

Besides local high officials and noble families, many dignitaries from neighboring commanderies came to pay respects.

Among them was Kong Rong, the Administrator of Beihai.

This demonstrated the breadth of Tao Qian’s connections in life.

After the funeral, Mi Zhu and Chen Deng, following Tao Qian’s last wishes, welcomed Liu Bei into Xuzhou.

Fearing Liu Bei might refuse such a troubled province, Chen Deng suggested inviting Kong Rong as well.

Mi Zhu protested, “Kong Rong of Beihai is not from Xuzhou; how can he meddle in our affairs?”

Chen Deng replied, “No; Kong Rong was close friends with Governor Tao. This is the Governor’s dying wish—how could Kong Rong refuse to help?”

“Besides, such a vast province must have someone to take charge. Kong Rong’s benevolent heart will not allow him to see Xuzhou’s people suffer.”

Mi Zhu admired Chen Deng’s reasoning and said,

“Very well, let us go together to ask Kong Rong.”

The two found Kong Rong and explained the matter.

Kong Rong readily agreed, “If it is Governor Tao’s wish, I shall accompany you to speak with him.”

The three then sought out Liu Bei.

At that moment, Liu Bei was inside his residence, discussing next steps with Li Yi and others.

A servant reported the arrival of Kong Rong, Mi Zhu, and the others.

Liu Bei was slightly surprised, wondering what brought these three here.

Li Yi rose with a smile:

“Congratulations, General—you are about to receive Xuzhou.”

Though already expecting this, Liu Bei’s feelings were complex.

Since it was a visit, he ordered that the three be admitted.

They met and exchanged greetings.

Liu Bei asked the reason for their visit.

Mi Zhu, straightforward by nature, spoke plainly:

“We come by order of Governor Tao’s last command, specially to invite you to take up the governance of Xuzhou!”

Liu Bei took a deep breath and glanced lightly at Li Yi, as if to say, “Once again, the master’s prediction proves true…”