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

Chapter 206 Liu Bei Reunites with Old Friends, Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping Arrive in Zhuo County (2nd Update)
The assembly of three thousand infantry and cavalry would take time, as would the preparation of provisions. In addition, it was the height of July, so Liu Bei did not plan to rush into battle. Allowing the soldiers to go home to visit their families and relax would be more conducive to boosting morale.

This trip to Bingzhou is merely to harass Guanzhong on behalf of Yuan Shao, not because Liu Bei himself wants to seize Guanzhong; there's no need to be too proactive.

In the following days.

Liu Bei actively acted as matchmaker for Sun Qian, handling the first five rites: betrothal, name inquiry, auspicious date selection, gift presentation, and wedding date setting. Except for the requirement that the wedding ceremony be held on an auspicious day, Liu Bei took care of all the rites.

This deeply moved Sun Qian.

Unlike other officials in Xuzhou who would choose their side based on Liu Bei's rise and fall, Sun Qian did not follow Liu Bei after joining him in Xuzhou. He did not establish a kinship with Liu Bei through marriage by marrying off his sister and giving away family wealth, nor was he restricted by his family and unable to follow Liu Bei like Chen Deng.

Sun Qian decided to follow Liu Bei after receiving his kindness and loyalty. Like Zhao Yun, he was a true man with the heroic spirit of "a great man only worries about fame and fortune, not about not having a wife".

Liu Bei was grateful to Sun Qian for following him through thick and thin without ever abandoning him, and he took Sun Qian's proposal to marry a woman from the Lu family very seriously.

The mutual support between the ruler and his ministers became a celebrated story in Zhuoxian County.

Outside the south city.

A caravan approached slowly, its two leaders looking travel-worn, their faces covered in sweat.

City gate commander Liu Deran led his guards to stop and inspect the tally. Upon seeing the information on the tally, Liu Deran's expression changed.

The talisman read:

June 21st, the sixth year of Jian'an

Zhongshan State Chancellor's Seal

Biography of Gaojin Pass:
Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping, wealthy merchants from Lu Nu in the Zhongshan Kingdom
He carried this transmission and led fifty followers, along with ten chariots.

The shipment is shown on the left:

· 600 bolts of fine silk

• 300 shi of salt (with salt regulations and separate tokens)
Fifty fine horses (thirty males and twenty females, according to the legend of the horse, and the symbol of distinction).
· Five hundred iron plowshares (with the seal of the official in charge of construction)

Lu Nu started trading in Zhuo County.

Valid until: September 21st.

All those crossing the river should be allowed to pass immediately without delay. Anyone who violates this rule will be impeached.

·Seal Box· (Engraved with the seal script "Seal of the Prime Minister of Zhongshan")
City rent has been paid (Seal of the City Magistrate of Zhongshan)

"May I ask if you two venerable ones are old acquaintances of General Zuo?" Liu Deran dared not be negligent and stepped forward to confirm their identities.

Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping exchanged a glance, both surprised. They quickly returned the greeting with clasped hands, saying, "Although we have met before, we dare not presume to be old acquaintances with General Zuo."

Liu Deran smiled and said, "You two are too modest. General Zuo has already instructed that if Zhongshan Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping arrive, someone should be sent to inform them. Please wait a moment, I will send someone to inform them immediately."

The two of them were even more shocked.

Su Shuang quickly said, "No need for that. After we enter the city, we will go and visit General Zuo ourselves."

Liu Deran shook his head: "Please forgive my rudeness. General Zuo has instructed that if the two venerable ones arrive, he will personally come out of the city to welcome them, and I cannot disobey his orders."

Liu Deran then immediately ordered the guards beside him, who dared not delay and quickly rode their horses straight to the Left General's residence.

Upon hearing the news, Liu Bei was both surprised and delighted: "Brother Su and Brother Zhang arrived so quickly?"

Back in Zhongshan, Liu Bei had intended to visit Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping. However, unfortunately, Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping had not returned from their horse trading business when Liu Bei went there. So Liu Bei left a letter for each of them, asking their wives and children to convey the message. Liu Bei had originally planned to visit Lu Nu on his way to Bingzhou, but he did not expect that Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping would arrive in Zhuo County first.

"Uncle, quickly prepare the horses!" But as soon as he finished speaking, Liu Bei realized it was inappropriate and changed his words, "No, prepare the carriages!"

Not long after.

Liu Bei then drove his carriage to the city gate.

Upon seeing familiar faces, Liu Bei jumped off the carriage and greeted them with a hearty laugh: "Brother Zhang, Brother Su, it's been many years since we last met! How have you been?"

Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping were still discussing with Liu Deran, trying to persuade him that they should go into the city to visit Liu Bei instead of having Liu Bei come out of the city to welcome them.

However, Liu Deran was a man who strictly adhered to military orders. Even Zhang Fei, who entered the city late, had to stay outside the city. Naturally, he refused to let Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping enter the city directly.

Seeing Liu Bei arrive in such a hurry, Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping were even more shocked.

"If I become rich and powerful, I will not forget you." Although it is a good saying, few people will actually keep this promise.

Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping had traveled all over the country and met too many people. Most of them were like Chen Sheng, who became arrogant and suspicious after becoming successful and did not want their past poverty to be mentioned.

Therefore, even though Liu Bei had invited them by letter, Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping first went to Tao Sheng, the Chancellor of Zhongshan, to sign the official document before coming to Zhuo County, using the pretext of entering the market to exchange goods.

When he met Liu Deran, he did not take out Liu Bei's letter, but planned to visit him privately after entering the city.

Unexpectedly, Liu Bei had instructed Liu Deran and the other three gate commanders in advance, and upon hearing the news, he hurriedly drove to welcome them. Such loyalty and righteousness far surpassed that of Chen Sheng.

"We dare not accept such a grand salute from General Zuo!" Despite their shock, Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping did not forget their manners.

Liu Bei strode forward, supporting the two men with both hands, and said loudly, "In the past, my family was poor. If it weren't for Brother Zhang and Brother Su not disdaining my crudeness and giving me so much gold and money, how could I be where I am today? When I went to Zhongshan last time, I wanted to visit them, but unfortunately Brother Zhang and Brother Su had not returned, which was a real pity. Today, Brother Zhang and Brother Su have come all the way from Zhongshan without having to go through so much trouble, and I am very happy. Please come with me into the city. Today, I must have a good drink with Brother Zhang and Brother Su."

The two quickly declined.

Without saying a word, Liu Bei took their arms and led them into the carriage.

Liu Bei instructed Liu Deran not to neglect the followers brought by Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping.

Liu Bei's domineering presence left Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping's followers speechless. These followers had been traveling with Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping for many years, and this was the first time they had ever witnessed such a scene.

"That's the renowned General Zuo from Hebei, yet he's so respectful to my master?"

"I heard that my master met General Zuo more than ten years ago and even gave him a lot of gold and silver."

"That was more than ten years ago. Even the closest friends will become estranged after more than ten years. It's not like the host hasn't been turned away at the door over the years."

"It is said in Hebei that General Zuo is unparalleled in benevolence and righteousness. Having met him today, I can confirm that the rumors are true."

"It's not just the rumors that are true; this is even more benevolent than the rumors suggest. Although the master is wealthy, which high-ranking official or noble family would give him a second glance? Yet General Zuo personally came to welcome him and even invited him to ride into the city with him!"

"Hmph! Those snobbish dogs are no match for General Zuo."

"."

Ordinary passersby wouldn't feel much, but those who followed Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping for many years had witnessed far too much of the coldness and warmth of human relationships.

There are countless examples of people who, when poor, coveted the money of Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping and befriended them, but when they became successful, they felt ashamed because they had been helped by the two and wanted to sever ties with them.

Liu Bei had no idea what his fifty followers were thinking. At that moment, he was chatting enthusiastically with Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping in the carriage, reminiscing about old times. He also solemnly promised the two that if any of their families or clansmen wanted to study, he would make arrangements for them!
With seven thousand volumes of books at his disposal, Liu Bei could easily arrange for Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping's families and clansmen to study!
　Chapter 2 is here! (Thanks for the comment, MoonHiddenStars, I really didn't plagiarize.)

　　
　
(End of this chapter)