Chapter 20: Hand in Hand, We Gaze Through Tearful Eyes, Speechless and Choked with Emotion (Please Continue Reading!)

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Li Yi had successfully calmed the emotions of Zhao Yun and Tian Yu. This was the true priority that required attention. As for the matter of taking over Xuzhou, Li Yi was not overly worried. After all, Liu Bei himself was inclined to assume control of Xuzhou, and both Guan Yu and Zhang Fei strongly supported this. Chen Qun was, after all, merely a prominent figure from Yuzhou, no match for the close bonds shared among Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Liu Bei.

Though Liu Bei had already made up his mind, Li Yi had refrained from expressing his opinion on the matter until now. Taking the initiative, he asked, “What is your opinion, sir?”

Li Yi lacked a strong background, so Liu Bei had been creating opportunities for him to shine. Despite already knowing the answer in his heart, Li Yi responded solemnly, “Heaven bestows blessings that one must not refuse, lest one be blamed for the loss.”

“To encounter such a great province and not seize it would be a regret beyond remedy.”

Li Yi’s stance was firm—such a golden opportunity to claim a grand province without resistance was rare indeed. Although Xuzhou had been ravaged, it was still far better than remaining in a desolate and impoverished place like Xiaopei.

Chen Qun sighed and shook his head. He knew that once Li Yi had spoken out, he had lost the argument. Liu Bei was determined to take up the governorship of Xuzhou and begin his enterprise there.

Chen Qun secretly admired Liu Bei, which was why he had tried so hard to persuade him to stay in Yuzhou. Yet, like Chen Deng, he had his own family interests to consider. For these aristocratic families, loyalty followed whoever controlled their homeland. If Liu Bei left Yuzhou, Chen Qun would abandon Liu Bei. If Liu Bei left Xuzhou, Chen Deng would turn away as well.

Liu Bei was capable, but he lacked a solid base. The aristocrats hoped someone like Liu Bei would manage the region, but except for Mi Zhu—who was brave enough to entrust everything to Liu Bei—no one else would follow him.

“Very well, then the matter is settled.”

Liu Bei also saw that his men harbored other thoughts, but for now, the priority was to secure Xuzhou. After a short while, Liu Bei invited Chen Deng, Mi Zhu, and Kong Rong inside.

“General Liu, have you made your decision?”

Kong Rong spoke directly: “Yuan Gonglu is no one who forgets his family for the country; he is but a dry bone in the tomb—hardly worth concern.”

“In the current times, the people support the virtuous and capable as their lord. General Liu, do not abandon the people of Xuzhou.”

As the saying goes, standing on the moral high ground leaves one invulnerable.

Liu Bei accepted this calmly.

“In that case, I shall accept the governorship of Xuzhou.”

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“I am slow-witted; in the days to come, I hope Deputy Mi and Captain Chen will offer much guidance.”

Mi Zhu was overjoyed at these words.

“Rest assured, Commander. We have been entrusted by Commander Tao; how could we fail to devote ourselves wholeheartedly?”

Mi Zhu was an honest and sincere man, and this pleased him greatly.

Chen Deng, though mindful of his family’s interests, personally admired Liu Bei. For the time being, this outcome was a cause for celebration all around. Yet everyone knew the true challenges lay ahead.

At least now, there was a moment of relief—Xuzhou had finally been settled peacefully.

After all affairs were concluded, Li Yi privately approached Liu Bei to explain the issues concerning Zhao Yun and Tian Yu.

Liu Bei merely furrowed his brow and sighed deeply.

“I did not expect you to notice this problem just days after arriving in my camp.”

“Oh?” Li Yi smiled softly. “So, Commander, you also realize that Zhao and Tian are contemplating leaving?”

Liu Bei smiled wryly.

“I am not truly their lord. If they abandon me and leave, what can I do?”

Having spent years together, Liu Bei did genuinely care for these two men.

Li Yi silently admired Liu Bei’s discernment.

At this time, Zhao Yun and Tian Yu were still young and had not yet made great names for themselves. Yet Liu Bei saw their immense talent and limitless potential.

And history bore this out.

Zhao Yun, needless to say, remained a core general of the Shu Han faction. Some dismissed him as a mere miscellaneous officer, but as one of Liu Bei’s founding veterans, Zhao Yun never left the upper echelons of Shu Han’s power.

If Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were high-ranking officials in Shu Han, Zhao Yun was at least a solid department-level officer.

His ability and status were beyond dispute.

Tian Yu needed no further introduction. Like Chen Deng, he was a steadfast warrior in the hexagonal alliance. During the Cao Wei era, he held the northern frontier of You and Yan, commanding great respect.

Not only did he slow the unification speed of the northern nomadic tribes, but he greatly maintained peace along the Han Dynasty’s troubled borders.

A bona fide national hero.

Losing two such young, loyal, and honorable generals would be a tremendous loss.

Zhao Yun was fortunate; after Gongsun Zan’s death, he returned to Liu Bei’s side.

Tian Yu was less fortunate. He struggled under Gongsun Zan and was underutilized in Cao Wei, confined to northern border defense.

“Commander, tonight I have already invited Generals Zhao Yun and Tian Yu to a banquet.”

“You might consider joining me.”

Li Yi expressed his thoughts to Liu Bei.

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Liu Bei nodded. “Very well. I appreciate your concern, sir.”

They both understood tacitly that this banquet was an effort to retain Zhao and Tian.

That night, beneath a clear, moonlit sky, Liu Bei and Li Yi prepared a modest feast early.

The gathering was simple, attended only by those involved.

Initially, Liu Bei had wanted to invite senior officers like Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, hoping to show sincerity to Tian Yu and Zhao Yun.

But Li Yi stopped him, believing the two men were already sensitive. Bringing senior officers to pressure them might backfire.

If sincerity was the goal, it would be better if only Liu Bei and Li Yi attended, setting aside lord and subject roles and addressing each other as brothers and friends, making the guests feel comfortable.

This was indeed the case. In public, Liu Bei was their superior, but privately, they were brothers and friends. Liu Bei often said, “I am as close to Zi Long as a brother.”

Liu Bei found this suggestion sensible and agreed.

Soon, Zhao Yun and Tian Yu arrived together.

After formal greetings, each took a seat.

When the banquet began, Liu Bei was the first to raise his cup.

“Zi Long, Guo Rang, you have followed me for many years, enduring hardships and dangers. At last, the clouds part and the sun shines again. I raise this cup to you both.”

“To express my gratitude!”

Liu Bei spoke earnestly, his eyes full of deep affection.

Zhao Yun and Tian Yu accepted the cups with reverence and returned the toast.

“This is but our duty, Commander. Please, no need for such ceremony.”

Liu Bei smiled gently.

“On the contrary, I know you two are composed and capable, wise and brave. You have served me with dedication and perseverance all these years.”

Perseverance...

At this phrase, both Zhao Yun and Tian Yu were momentarily taken aback.

Officially, they were still subordinates of Gongsun Zan, but these years they had stayed by Liu Bei’s side, often risking life and death against Cao’s forces.

In their hearts, they had long regarded Liu Bei as their true lord.

Yet...

They could never betray their original lord.

Zhao Yun and Tian Yu admired Liu Bei, but their ultimate allegiance was not to him.

“Tonight, there is actually one more gift the Commander wishes to present to you both,” Li Yi suddenly spoke from the side.