Chapter 17: I Would Raise a Hundred Thousand Foot and Horse Soldiers to Aid the Sovereign and Save the People (Please Keep Reading!)

Tao Qian intended to hand Xuzhou over to Liu Bei, and Liu Bei and his men had long since prepared themselves mentally for this. What surprised them was how impatient the people of Xuzhou were; Tao Qian had only been dead a few days, yet these men were already eager to install a new lord.

In the past few days, Liu Bei had discussed the matter extensively with his followers but had yet to reach a conclusion. Even now, his faction still harbored doubts about whether to take up the governorship of Xuzhou. Meanwhile, the people of Xuzhou pressed urgently, while Liu Bei’s group was still unprepared.

Chen Qun, who had just arrived, rose to his feet and called out, “...Commander.” Liu Bei glanced sideways and saw Chen Qun’s solemn expression as he shook his head. Liu Bei then turned to Mi Zhu and the others, saying, “Yuan Gonglu is nearby in Shouchun; you may consider joining forces with him in the province.”

“...Commander, this is—” Mi Zhu was caught off guard by Liu Bei’s refusal and appeared at a loss.

Chen Deng, a seasoned official, immediately recognized this as a delaying tactic by Liu Bei. Seizing the opportunity, he offered a graceful exit, saying, “Yuan Gonglu is arrogant and extravagant, unfit to govern in times of chaos.”

“Now we intend to gather a force of one hundred thousand infantry and cavalry under the Commander’s banner, to aid you in rescuing the people and supporting the royal house.”

“Furthermore, we can defend the territory, achieving the merit of a feudal lord.”

Li Yi scoffed nearby; Chen Deng’s promises were nothing but empty boasts. To truly muster a force of one hundred thousand infantry and cavalry seemed fantastical—almost reaching for the heavens.

Historically, Chen Deng did indeed pledge to help Liu Bei raise that formidable army. But this was merely a grand illusion to coax Liu Bei into accepting the governorship. In truth, Chen Deng never managed to assemble such a force. On the contrary, when Lü Bu launched a surprise attack on Xuzhou, Chen Deng did nothing to protect it for Liu Bei. Instead, he and his family welcomed Lü Bu into Xuzhou.

This was not to say Chen Deng preferred Lü Bu to Liu Bei, but rather that the local gentry of Xuzhou found Lü Bu easier to control than Liu Bei.

Why did Chen Deng so fervently hope Liu Bei would take Xuzhou? Because his perspective largely represented that of the Xuzhou scholars and powerful families. They had long wielded influence in the province but lacked the strength to resist external threats like Cao Cao.

Therefore, they needed a formidable enforcer—and Liu Bei was their chosen candidate. But Liu Bei was not a man to be so easily manipulated. He was a hero with ambition and resilience, unwilling to be a puppet for the local aristocracy.

As the noble families of Xuzhou realized Liu Bei was not so easily controlled, their relations with him began to grow distant. At this very moment, a military genius with less political acumen but impressive martial skills appeared: Lü Bu.

Naturally, the aristocrats of Xuzhou preferred to welcome Lü Bu.

Chen Deng, motivated by family interests, sought to help Xuzhou find a new master quickly, to restore peace and order. In truth, these local magnates detested chaos most of all, for in times of disorder, the rule of law collapses, and their privileged positions at the pyramid’s apex become vulnerable.

Chen Deng spoke resolutely, “If the Commander does not heed our proposal, then I dare not heed the Commander’s commands.”

Clearly, this was a thinly veiled threat.

Chen Qun, witnessing this, grew indignant and angrily rebuked, “How can Chen Yuanlong be so disrespectful?”

Chen Deng glanced at Chen Qun and asked, “Could you be Chen Changwen from Yuzhou?”

Chen Qun nodded. “Indeed, I am the unworthy Chen Qun.”

Chen Deng cupped his hands respectfully and said, “I have long heard of your great reputation. We are here by the late Tao Commander’s orders, to entrust Xuzhou to Lord Xuande.”

“Lord Xuande is a descendant of the Han emperors, a man of benevolence and righteousness. How could he bear to see the people of Xuzhou abandoned to the wilderness?”

“Surely, the Commander has heroic blood and a heart to save the people.”

One must admit, Chen Deng was exceptionally clever, appealing both to morality and pragmatism to pressure Liu Bei into accepting Xuzhou.

But Chen Qun was no fool and took Chen Deng’s words with caution. After all, where would this so-called one hundred thousand troops be stationed? When Cao Cao massacred Xuzhou, why did these men not raise a force then? And defending territory—whose territory would that be? Was it to protect the interests of the Xuzhou aristocrats?

Chen Qun sneered coldly, “Yuanlong’s claim to raise one hundred thousand troops for the Commander is nothing but empty boasting.”

“All under heaven belongs to the emperor; the lands are his subjects’. The idea of carving out territory to defend is utterly rebellious.”

Chen Deng was unperturbed by this and replied calmly, “Though Xuzhou suffered slaughter, it still has a population of one million and countless fertile fields.”

“Moreover, Xuzhou borders the Eastern Sea, with abundant people and wealth, a land destined for dominance.”

“If we do not seize this day, we shall bear the blame.”

“A true man must never miss a good opportunity.”

Chen Deng’s argument was airtight. He emphasized that Xuzhou’s foundation remained intact, which was not entirely false.

No one knew Xuzhou’s true condition better than Chen Deng himself. During Tao Qian’s tenure, he appointed Chen Deng as the Colonel of Agriculture—equivalent to a modern Minister of Agriculture.

Chen Deng was indeed talented; under his governance, Xuzhou reduced famine and amassed vast grain stores. This not only attracted many refugees but also accumulated immense wealth for the province. While the Central Plains suffered famine, Xuzhou even had funds to build golden Buddha temples.

However, ancient accounts often exaggerated numbers. Chen Deng first promised to raise a hundred thousand troops, then boasted of a population of one million after the calamity. With no detailed census, the truth remains uncertain.

As Chen Qun and Chen Deng faced off, Li Yi stepped in to mediate smoothly: “There is no need for disagreement. The post of Governor of Xuzhou carries great responsibility and cannot be decided hastily.”

“Allow us some time to deliberate, shall we?”

His words were tactful, offending neither side.

Chen Deng, noting Li Yi’s dignified bearing, asked, “Might you be Mr. Li Ziyu, who aided the Commander in defeating Cao Cao?”

“That is indeed I,” Li Yi replied with a slight smile.

Li Yi silently marveled at how, despite the era’s poor communication, Chen Deng knew his name so quickly. Such was the reach of a noble family.

Chen Deng gave off the air of a smiling tiger, but his smile was gentle now, revealing little malice.

“A true man should associate with heroes from all corners, especially a prodigy like Mr. Ziyu.”

“Cao Cao attacked Xuzhou twice, confident and overbearing. Our forces repeatedly fell to him. For you to achieve victory on your first campaign is truly admirable.”

Whether Chen Deng’s praise was sincere or not, Li Yi gratefully cupped his hands and said, “In military skill and courage, I am far inferior to Colonel Chen.”

Though a compliment, Chen Deng took it to heart. Being proud by nature, Li Yi’s words matched his self-image perfectly.

“Hahaha,” Chen Deng laughed heartily. “It seems I have met a kindred spirit in Xuzhou. Alas, I am still bound by official duties and cannot fully devote myself.”

“Otherwise, I would share a thousand cups with you, drinking until we forget all worries!”