The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 101 One cannot be afraid to risk one's life for great things; Liu Bei wins over the clans of Zhuo County (4th update)
"Uncle Zijing, Uncle Yuanqi, your nephew greets you."

At the gate of the Left General's residence, Liu Bei respectfully bowed to Liu Su and Liu Shi.

Seeing that the dignified General Zuo had even put his shoes on backwards before rushing out, even his own uncle Liu Su was somewhat surprised.

In terms of blood relations, Liu Su was Liu Bei's uncle.

In terms of career, Liu Su did not help Liu Bei much. In fact, he had a great deal of conflict with Liu Bei because Liu Bei did not take the recommendation for officialdom but instead led a group of heroes to do things in Zhuojun that had nothing to do with the recommendation for officialdom. Liu Su believed that Liu Bei had disgraced the Liu family.

Liu Shi was equally surprised.

After realizing that Liu Bei was different from others in his youth, Liu Shi began to provide him with financial assistance from time to time, and even spent money to find a way for Liu Bei to become a disciple of Lu Zhi.

There were many members of the Liu clan in Zhuo County, but not everyone had the opportunity to become a disciple of Lu Zhi. Liu Bei, an orphan and widow, would have had virtually no chance of becoming a disciple of Lu Zhi without external help.

And this opportunity was given by Liu Shi.

As a result, Liu Bei not only failed to study diligently under Lu Zhi, but also mingled with Gongsun Zan and others, indulging in the kind of activities that noble youths did, such as wearing fine clothes, eating delicious food, walking dogs, hunting hawks, and playing with spears and sticks.

Liu Shi once believed that Liu Bei's mentality had changed after he came into contact with noblemen, and that he had become decadent.

Therefore, after Liu Bei returned from Lu Zhi's tutelage and gathered heroes to do some things unrelated to the recommendation of filial piety and incorruptibility, Liu Shi not only cut off his financial support to Liu Bei, but also reduced his contact with Liu Bei to avoid causing trouble for the Liu family of Zhuo County.

Sheng Mien, fight against Mien.

This has existed since ancient times.

Many people take it for granted that someone initially helped them, but when that person stops helping, they think the person was a villain for not supporting them to the end. After they become successful, they would rather repay a debt of gratitude for a single meal than show any kindness to those who initially helped them.

Liu Shi and Liu Su had seen this kind of thing quite often.

Liu Shi was unwilling to seek repayment for Liu Bei's kindness for this reason as well. He feared that now that Liu Bei had become successful, he would hold a grudge against Liu Bei for cutting off his previous support, and he was afraid that he would not only fail to gain any benefits but also suffer humiliation at the hands of Liu Bei.

however.

Liu Bei's behavior was completely different from those who were "kind of a little kindness, but resentful of a lot of kindness." He not only did not refuse to see Liu Su and Liu Shi, who came to visit without prior notice, but also put his shoes on backwards because he was in such a hurry.

When he met Liu Su and Liu Shi, he was very respectful and greeted them with courtesy. He also referred to himself as "nephew" to indicate that he was welcoming them as a junior, not as the Left General.

Such magnanimity and breadth of mind once again made Liu Su and Liu Shi see Liu Bei's extraordinary nature.

The young men from the Liu family of Zhuo County who came with them were also quite surprised, but they soon became excited.

Liu Bei did not forget his clansmen!

What excited the young men even more was that when Liu Bei learned that they were all members of the Liu clan from Zhuo County, he immediately said, "Since they are family, they may join their two uncles at the table."

Liu Su and Liu Shi were deeply moved; Liu Bei's magnanimity and breadth of mind once again amazed them.

After leading everyone to the banquet, Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong also arrived together.

Upon learning that Liu Bei's two uncles in Zhuo County were coming to visit, Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong immediately put aside their official duties and came together.

The two men had confided in Liu Bei, so they could naturally guess the stance of the Liu family of Zhuo County and Liu Bei's intentions.

"Greetings, General!"

The two men bowed to Liu Bei in unison. Liu Bei then warmly introduced Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong to everyone, emphasizing their ages, especially noting that it was August of the fifth year of Jian'an, and Zhuge Liang was only nineteen years old, while Pang Tong was only twenty-one.

Everyone who heard this was shocked.

What surprised everyone even more was that although Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong were young, their speech and manners were no less than those of noble sons. When talking with them, one was amazed to find that their knowledge was as vast as the ocean, and they could readily draw upon all kinds of classics and all sorts of knowledge.

What level had Xuande reached to command such a peerless talent?

Liu Su and Liu Shi exchanged a glance, and were immediately struck by the awe-inspiring feeling of standing at the foot of Mount Tai and looking up at its summit.

Drink half the wine.

Liu Su couldn't help but ask, "What are your plans for returning home this time, Xuande?"

Liu Bei laughed and said, "Naturally, it is to report to the country and bring peace to the people."

The standard, conventional answer immediately aroused Liu Su's suspicion.

After glancing at the few clan youths who were still drinking and eating meat, Liu Su changed the subject and only chatted with Liu Bei about old times.

After the banquet ended and Liu Bei had several young members of his clan settled in a separate courtyard to rest, Liu Su asked the same question again.

"Uncle Zijing, if I were to reveal my plans, would you be willing to help me?" Liu Bei asked instead of answering, his previously gentle tone now carrying a hint of solemnity.

Liu Su was stern and awe-inspiring.

Although Liu Bei didn't say it explicitly, his meaning was clear: I want to do great things, and great things require people who are willing to risk their lives to help me.

Seeing that Liu Su and Liu Shi had both fallen silent, Liu Bei gave Zhuge Liang a look.

Zhuge Liang understood and stood up, laughing and asking about etiquette. He then said, "I have heard that the Liu family of Zhuo County has always been known for their filial piety and integrity. However, in chaotic times, without the protection of a strong army, how can they avoid the calamities of bandits and war, even with a good reputation?"

"General Zuo, a man of humble origins, rose to the rank of marquis and general by wielding a three-foot sword. This was not only due to his bravery, but also because he cherished the ambition to 'serve the country above and bring peace to the people below.' Tens of thousands of people from Xuzhou willingly followed him northward, not for personal gain, but because they truly believed that General Zuo could protect the people of this region."

"Now that General Zuo has returned to his hometown, he intends to make Zhuojun his base. This is not only to serve the country and bring peace to the people, but also to protect the ancestral homeland of his clan! If the sons of the Liu family help General Zuo establish this foundation, then the Liu family of Zhuo County will no longer be a clan that seeks only temporary peace, but will become a clan of national heroes!"

Pang Tong also stood up, clapped his hands and laughed, his words even more incisive: "Back then, Yuanqi Gong saw the extraordinary potential of General Zuo and often provided him with assistance. He truly had a discerning eye! Now, General Zuo commands elite troops, enjoys the hearts of the people, and has the foundation of education laid by Kangcheng Gong's six thousand volumes of books—this is a golden opportunity!"

"If the Liu family of Zhuo County continues down the old path, they will only remain as county magistrates; but if they help the Left General achieve great things, the Liu family's sons may one day become governors or high-ranking officials, restoring their family's prestige to an even greater level than before!"

"Please consider this carefully, gentlemen: General Zuo is a descendant of the Han dynasty, and his ambition is to support the country, which is a great righteousness; he treats the villagers well and treats his old friends with kindness, which is a virtue; now, by taking Zhuojun as the base, he can not only secure his clan, but also help the world—this is both public and private, and both loyalty and filial piety!"

"If we abandon General Zuo to preserve the remnants of our clan, I believe that this is not preserving the clan, but rather waiting for its demise!"

Liu Su and Liu Shi exchanged a glance, both of them shocked!

If it were a decade or two ago, no matter how much Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong pleaded, Liu Su and Liu Shi would not have listened.

However, more than a decade of chaos had made Liu Su and Liu Shi see reality clearly, and Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong's resounding words directly addressed what Liu Su and Liu Shi were thinking and worrying about.

What a terrible future!
The two sighed inwardly and then decided to help Liu Bei.

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(End of this chapter)