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

Chapter 246 Liu Bei and Ma Chao conspire to seize Shu Jin; the Five Tiger Generals are gathering (3rd update)
Inside the large tent, the lights were on full display.

Liu Bei poured a full wine cup for Ma Chao and said gently, "General Ma's solo journey to the meeting shows his sincerity, which I deeply admire."

Ma Chao raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp, then laughed loudly, "General Zuo has treated me with sincerity, how could I not repay him with sincerity? Now that I have come, it means I trust General Zuo!"

The two smiled at each other, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

Liu Bei put down his wine cup and asked casually, "General Ma just now mentioned 'great wealth and honor,' what good fortune is that?"

Ma Chao's eyes gleamed as he spoke frankly, "Since the war in Guanzhong and the subsequent lockdown of Yizhou, very few merchants have been able to enter Shu to buy and sell brocade. Now, Shu brocade is in high demand in the Central Plains, with some even offering ten thousand coins for a single bolt. If I were to be in charge of transporting the Shu brocade, and General Zuo were to be in charge of its sales, both of us could make a substantial profit. I wonder if General Zuo would be interested?"

"General Ma is very insightful!" Liu Bei feigned surprise, then frowned and lowered his head: "However, the Shu brocade needs to be transported through Zhang Lu's territory in Hanzhong. This man has always been at odds with Liu Zhang of Xichuan, so I'm afraid it will be difficult to let him pass."

Ma Chao arrogantly declared, "Zhang Lu is nothing but a Taoist priest. If he dares to obstruct me, I will lead my troops south and defeat him in an instant!"

Liu Bei quickly waved his hand: "No! General Ma may be brave and resourceful, but if war breaks out, trade routes will be cut off, and we will lose our advantage."

Ma Chao had only said it casually and didn't really intend to fight Zhang Lu. After hearing this, he gave Sun Zi a look.

Sun Zi knew better than Ma Chao how to transfer the goods.

Sun Zi understood and said loudly, "Although Zhang Lu is at odds with Liu Zhang, he has no old grudges against General Zuo and General Ma. If General Zuo is willing to send envoys with General Ma to Hanzhong to persuade Zhang Lu, explaining the benefits of transporting Shu brocade, Zhang Lu will definitely be tempted. There is no need for Zhang Lu to give permission; he only needs to be responsible for transporting the Shu brocade from Xichuan from Hanzhong to Guanzhong. Shu brocade is extremely profitable, and even if Liu Zhang refuses due to hatred, the powerful families of Xichuan will secretly sell the Shu brocade to Zhang Lu. If Liu Zhang is determined to use force, General Ma can also lead troops south to help Zhang Lu capture Liu Zhang alive."

Liu Bei was also aware of the strategy for transporting Shu brocade.

However, to cooperate with Sun Zi at this moment, Liu Bei pretended not to understand and asked several questions one after another. After receiving answers from Sun Zi, Liu Bei slammed his hand on the table and stood up, bowing to Ma Chao: "General Ma is willing to give me such great wealth and honor. I really don't know how to thank you. How about this, I will only take 30% of the profits from the Shu brocade, and 70% will go to General Ma."

When Ma Chao saw that Liu Bei had agreed, he was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "How could I take advantage of General Zuo? I was only responsible for transporting the Shu brocade and did not put in much effort. The most difficult thing was to sell the Shu brocade! I will only take 40%, and General Zuo can take 60%."

Seeing Liu Bei and Ma Chao showing each other deference, Sun Zi advised again: "Although the profit from Shu brocade is substantial, it cannot compare to the deep friendship between General Ma and General Zuo. Why not split the profits 50/50?"

Ma Chao immediately raised his cup and said respectfully, "General Zuo, there's no need for further modesty. How about we split the profits fifty-fifty?"

Liu Bei no longer declined, and raised his cup in return, saying, "In that case, I shall respectfully accept your offer."

After agreeing on the transportation and profit sharing of the Shu brocade, Liu Bei gave Pang Tong a look, and Pang Tong immediately got up, took a small box, and handed it to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei opened the small box and handed the sheepskin map inside to Ma Chao: "Since General Ma has given me great wealth, I should also give a generous gift in return to express my gratitude."

This sheepskin map was a copy made by Pang Tong based on a map given to him by Zhuge Liang, clearly marking the mountains, rivers, geography, and cities of Yizhou.

Ma Chao was immediately shocked: "Where did General Zuo obtain this map?" Ma Chao then declined the map, saying, "This map is too precious, General Zuo, please take it back."

Liu Bei refused again, chuckling, "This map was acquired by chance. Though it could be called a treasure, it's useless to me. As the saying goes, a treasure is given to a hero, and General Ma is a hero of our time, worthy of this map! Moreover, the transport of Shu brocade is difficult at the beginning. Initially, Zhang Lu and Liu Zhang might not clash with us, but once the transport of Shu brocade has been going on for a while, they will definitely take the opportunity to raise the price. At that time, with this map in hand, General Ma can also deter them." Sun Zi also seized the opportunity to advise, "General Zuo is right. People's hearts are unpredictable. No one knows whether Liu Zhang and Zhang Lu will be greedy for the profits of Shu brocade and raise the price on the spot. If Shu brocade is to be sold into the Central Plains, it may not necessarily have to go through Guanzhong for transport. As the saying goes, courtesy begets courtesy. General Ma gave General Zuo a great fortune, and General Zuo returned a treasure map to General Ma. This is a joyous occasion worthy of celebration!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Chao accepted the map and felt even more favorably toward Liu Bei. He raised his cup in a toast, saying, "It is truly an honor to have met General Zuo."

Liu Bei also raised his cup in return.

After Liu Bei and Ma Chao finished their conversation, Zhang Fei, carrying a wine jar, approached Ma Chao and said, "Do you dare to drink with this country bumpkin?"

"Third brother! Don't be rude!" Liu Bei scolded gently.

Upon hearing the address "Third Brother," Ma Chao immediately realized his mistake and abandoned his underestimation of Zhang Fei. He raised his cup respectfully and said, "I was rude during the duel, and I apologize for it."

Zhang Fei was taken aback, then raised his cup in return: "I was the one who insulted you first, you little brat, so don't blame me. As the saying goes, no fight, no friendship. Drink this cup, and if anyone insults you again, just tell me, and I'll insult them back for you."

The two looked at each other and laughed.

Liu Bei then gave Guan Yu and Huang Zhong a look, and the two of them stood up to toast Ma Chao.

The atmosphere of the banquet became even more harmonious, and it didn't end until late at night. Liu Bei then asked Ma Chao to stay in the main tent to rest because it was too late.

This almost unguarded intimacy took Ma Chao by surprise, and he asked bluntly, "General Zuo, aren't you afraid of encountering danger late at night?"

Let alone sleeping in the same tent as Liu Bei, Ma Chao didn't even dare to let his personal guards into his tent; there were many generals in Guanzhong who were like brothers today but turned against each other tomorrow, and no one could guarantee that their personal guards wouldn't be bribed by the other side.

At this moment, Liu Bei was completely unconcerned about sleeping in the same tent as Ma Chao, which made Ma Chao find it hard to believe that there was someone in the world like Liu Bei who held such a high position and could treat people without suspicion!
Seeing through Ma Chao's astonishment and unease, Liu Bei smiled gently and said, "This is not the first time I have slept in the same tent with someone. Apart from you and Sun Zi, I have slept in the same tent with everyone at today's banquet, and I have never encountered any danger."

This answer shocked Ma Chao even more: No wonder Liu Bei's fierce warriors had no intention of killing their lord. They were so sincere in their dealings with others. I am far inferior to them!

Although Ma Chao couldn't help but doubt others, this didn't stop him from admiring Liu Bei's magnanimity.

Or, to put it another way: the more suspicious and distrustful a person is, the more they like to associate with people like Liu Bei.

Seeing Ma Chao hesitate, Liu Bei did not press him, and said, "If General Ma is not used to it, he can rest in the main tent, and I will make do in another tent for the night."

Seeing Liu Bei get up to leave, Ma Chao suddenly got carried away and said, "General Zuo, wait a moment. You are the commander of the camp, how can you go to another tent to make do? If you don't mind my rudeness, I will trouble you tonight."

　3th update, please vote with monthly tickets!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)