Chapter 39: Only Virtue and Worth Can Command Respect

Taishi Ci had once cooperated with Liu Bei to successfully repel the Yellow Turban rebels besieging Beihai. About a year or two later, he sought out Liu Yao in Yangzhou and never returned. During that one or two-year gap, Taishi Ci had not pledged his allegiance to either Kong Rong or Liu Bei. The reason for this lay in his personal aspirations.

Taishi Ci’s ambition was: "A man born into this world should gird himself with a seven-foot sword and ascend the steps of the Son of Heaven." Ascending the steps of the Son of Heaven here did not mean he wished to become emperor himself, nor did it mean assisting Sun Quan in seizing the throne. The Son of Heaven he wished to reach was Liu Xie. He aimed to assist the Han Emperor and restore the glory of the Han Dynasty. This was why Li Yi felt Taishi Ci was a perfect fit for Liu Bei; they shared the same noble goal.

However, at that time, Liu Bei was merely a subordinate of Gongsun Zan, far removed from the realization of Taishi Ci’s dream. By the time Liu Bei became the Governor of Xuzhou, he was so overwhelmed by the schemes of the local aristocratic families that he had long forgotten Taishi Ci, a man he had met only once. As for Kong Rong, he was both inept and pedantic; communicating with him during a military emergency was an exhausting ordeal. Thus, from the perspective of Taishi Ci at the time, the only person who could help him fulfill his ideal was his fellow clansman and friend, the officially appointed Han loyalist and Inspector of Yangzhou, Liu Yao.

Of course, Taishi Ci had kept a cautious eye on things. When he approached Liu Yao, he did so as an old friend paying a visit, rather than formally pledging his service. As expected, by the time he found Liu Yao, the latter was already embroiled in conflict with Sun Ce. Taishi Ci had gained some small renown by then, and people urged Liu Yao to appoint him as a general to defend against Sun Ce. But Liu Yao thought, "If I employ Taishi Ci, I shall become the laughingstock of the scholarly circles!" To an intellectual like Liu Yao, Taishi Ci was merely an errand boy, entirely unworthy of being a general. Similar situations often befell Zhang Fei; no matter how much these warriors respected the literati, as long as one’s social status was low, the elites would always look down upon them.

"Taishi Ci is currently in Donglai caring for his mother. Why does the Lord not issue a formal summons to invite him to Xuzhou for an official post?" Li Yi suggested.

Liu Bei asked, "What rank does the strategist suggest I offer him?"

Li Yi spoke with a solemn expression, "Though Taishi Ci currently holds no rank, his aspirations are vast, and he is gifted in both literature and martial arts. We must not slight him; we must offer a high position, or he will not come." After a brief pause, he added, "It would be wise to offer him the position of Major of a Separate Command with a salary of one thousand dan. With such a post, Ziyi will surely come."

This was no minor military rank; Zhang Fei himself held the title of Major of a Separate Command under Liu Bei. It was a position that carried significant weight, primarily because it granted control over military forces. While this did not mean Taishi Ci would immediately be on equal footing with Zhang Fei, the greatest advantage of this post was its flexibility—it functioned effectively as an independent military command outside the standard hierarchy.

It lacked the prestige of a full General, yet it provided independent command authority. The extent of one's power was determined entirely by the number of troops at one's disposal. For a Taishi Ci currently in forced idleness, this was an offer of immense sincerity.

"My Lord, Taishi Ziyi is inherently loyal, wise, and brave. If we let this opportunity slip through our fingers now, we shall surely regret it," Li Yi said, seeing Liu Bei hesitate, and offered further encouragement.

He knew what Liu Bei was weighing. For someone with no previous record in the army, granting a high-ranking position like Major of a Separate Command right from the start would invite significant pressure. Li Yi, at least, held a civil post and had previously rendered service. Taishi Ci, however, had never served under Liu Bei’s banner nor established any merit, and in the military—a field that prized seniority and achievement above all else—it would be difficult to convince the rank and file.

But to Li Yi, merit and seniority were things that could be earned and built over time. This current approach was merely providing Taishi Ci with a "pre-approved loan" of a Major's rank. The risk involved was simply a gamble on whether Taishi Ci truly possessed the talent of a great general and would prove his worth in the future. Li Yi, standing from a perspective of hindsight, had no such concerns. Liu Bei, however, stood from the perspective of a leader, needing to consider the broader situation. He had to judge Taishi Ci’s talent not only from a single meeting but also by placing his trust in Li Yi’s ability to discern character.

After a moment, Liu Bei nodded: "Very well, let it be as the strategist says."

"I shall order Xianhe to draft a formal summons, offering him the position of Major of a Separate Command, and send him to Donglai to recruit Taishi Ci."

Oh? Li Yi smiled slightly; he had not expected Liu Bei to be so surprisingly decisive in such matters.

Liu Bei, sensing Li Yi’s thoughts, explained: "I fear not the strategist’s laughter, but though I possess little talent, I know that only by seeking the virtuous and the wise can one win the hearts of men."

"If I treat others with sincerity, they will surely return it in kind. Taishi Ziyi was highly recommended by the strategist, and I, too, have had the pleasure of meeting him once before. When he sought me out for the sake of justice, his loyal nature was clearly evident. If he can join forces with me, why fear that our great cause will not succeed?"

Hearing this, Li Yi laughed aloud. This was exactly what he had hoped to hear. Liu Bei had a fiery temperament; sometimes, when his temper flared, no one could pull him back. For instance, after Liu Bei entered Shu, during a battle against the Cao army, the situation turned dire and he should have retreated. Yet, Liu Bei was enraged and refused to withdraw, and no one dared to advise him otherwise. As arrows rained down, Fa Zheng stepped in front of him. Liu Bei shouted in shock, "Xiaozhi, avoid the arrows!" Fa Zheng replied, "If the Lord himself braves the rain of arrows, what reason do I have to hide?" Liu Bei, left with no choice, had to order the retreat. It was clear that when dealing with Liu Bei’s stubbornness, one could sometimes try the reverse approach.

After finalizing the recruit, Li Yi and Liu Bei were in high spirits. They continued their walk until they reached a garden. This garden had originally been built by Tao Qian, and Liu Bei had specifically set it aside for Li Yi. Because Li Yi had previously been practicing in the mountains and was now confined to these four-walled buildings by Liu Bei, the latter felt a sense of guilt and had given him this beautiful garden as a form of compensation.

"...Haha, how does the scholar find the scenery of this forest?" Liu Bei asked with a laugh.

Li Yi replied without hesitation: "The fallen petals are like a swirling storm, their fragrance drifting for miles. Like silk sleeves and red robes, like a beauty dancing—it can truly be called a marvelous sight."

Liu Bei said happily: "The scholar’s literary talent is exquisite and unrestrained."

"I came here early to speak with you, and I did not realize it was already near noon. Why don't we share a meal together in this garden?"

To travel in the same carriage and sit at the same table—this was a privilege unique to Li Yi under Liu Bei. Li Yi had no reason to refuse and said: "Very well. The peach blossoms here are of superior quality; if used as ingredients, they should impart a unique fragrance and subtle sweetness."

Liu Bei said with delight: "Does the scholar even understand the art of dining?"

Li Yi laughed: "As a wild man from the mountains who sleeps under the eaves and dwells by the clouds, one must learn a thing or two about food."

Liu Bei asked again: "Peach blossoms cannot be eaten directly; I wonder what the scholar intends to pair them with?"

Li Yi answered: "Naturally, fine wine is the best accompaniment."

The two walked to the pavilion, where Taohong stepped forward to offer wine cups. She bowed and asked: "I wonder what the scholar would like for his meal, so I may instruct the cooks."