My Three Kingdoms is not right

The wheels keep turning, moving forward.

But Liu Bei clearly heard the sound of weapons being drawn outside the carriage.

A moment later, the silence in the carriage was finally broken by Cao Cao's laughter.

"Dragon pattern and tiger spine, truly a fine sword!"

Cao Cao looked at Liu Bei with a half-smile: "This sword is the perfect length and weight. Would Xuande be willing to part with it and give it to me? I would be willing to exchange it for the Heaven-Reliant Sword."

"You flatter me, my lord." Liu Bei raised his head and smiled gently.

The smile in Cao Cao's eyes gradually turned cold: "I'm not joking. Is Xuande reluctant to part with it?"

The temperature inside the carriage seemed to instantly turn icy cold.

Liu Bei calmly shook his head and said, "Without you, my lord, I don't know where I would be staying. I would have no chance to stand in the court and meet the emperor."

"Since you like this sword, I will naturally gift it to you. There is no reason for me to ask for anything in return."

Cao Cao paused for a moment, then sheathed his sword and handed it to Liu Bei with a smile, saying, "It was just a joke. Since it was bestowed by the Emperor, Xuande should keep it safe."

Liu Bei took the sword, his expression unchanged, but his back was covered in cold sweat.

Cao Cao casually leaned back against the armrest and continued, "Xuande is now an important minister in the court. In the future, you should consider the interests of the court and the country more in your actions."

Liu Bei couldn't quite figure out what she meant, so he could only cup his hands and say, "I am deeply grateful for the country's favor, and I will do my best to help."

Cao Cao nodded slightly, his tone becoming increasingly gentle: "The Emperor is young and his learning is not yet complete; this is the time for him to cultivate virtue and refine his character. All matters of state require our concerted efforts to share His Majesty's burdens."

A thousand thoughts raced through Liu Bei's mind, but on the surface he only nodded and agreed.

Cao Cao then changed the subject, asking, "The Left General's office has just been established; surely Xuande's officials haven't been fully appointed yet?"

Liu Bei quickly replied, "My sworn sisters Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are both valiant generals and can serve as Sima. As for the other positions, we haven't had time to select anyone yet."

Cao Cao nodded: "Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are both brave generals. It would be a waste of their talents to only serve as military officers. They should be appointed as generals of the central army."

Liu Bei was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly thanked Guan Yu and Zhang Fei on their behalf.

In terms of rank and salary, the difference between a military commander and a general was that their rank was equivalent to 1,000 shi (a unit of grain measure) and that of a general with a rank equivalent to 2,000 shi. However, in reality, the difference was much greater than that.

The title of Zhonglangjiang was a high-ranking military official in the imperial court; while the title of Junsima was merely an official in the general's mansion, belonging to the private retainers of generals, and the two were very different.

However, this would leave his own Left General's staff even more empty.

Cao Cao took a folded piece of paper from the table and handed it to him, speaking casually as if they were having a casual chat:

"Xuande has just arrived in Xudu, and I imagine it will be difficult for him to find suitable manpower in a short time. I do have some candidates here, all of whom are reliable and dependable. Xuande might as well consider them."

Liu Bei unfolded the paper and saw dozens of names listed on it, from the Chief Clerk, the Sima, the Attendant Gentleman, to the Clerks, the Clerks, the Attendants...

She looked down at the name on it, her fingertips slightly cold.

If all the officials in his office were the same people, then it would be obvious whether the Left General's Mansion belonged to the Liu or Cao families.

But could she refuse?

If we don't use these people, who else can we use?

Moreover, Cao Cao had already helped her a great deal. He recommended her as the Governor of Yu Province, appointed her as the Left General, and provided her with troops and provisions, allowing her to regain her footing. If she were to refuse even this small act of kindness, it would seem rather ungrateful.

"Thank you, Minister." Liu Bei cupped his hands in thanks, tucked the letter into his sleeve, and said, "I will make the arrangements upon my return."

Cao Cao nodded in satisfaction, chatted with her for a while, and the carriage finally stopped in front of the Left General's Mansion.

Liu Bei got out of the carriage and respectfully watched the vermilion carriage drive away until it disappeared at the end of the street before slowly turning around.

On the steps in front of the gate, servants had already come out to greet him, bowing and saying, "The general has returned."

Liu Bei nodded, lifted his foot and walked up the steps, but his steps became slower and slower.

When she reached the gate of the mansion, she stopped and suddenly didn't want to go in.

The streets and alleys were quiet. Under the eaves of the house across the street, a few sparrows chirped and chattered, vying for the scraps on the ground.

She leaned against the doorframe, let out a long breath, and suddenly found it somewhat ridiculous.

General Zuo.

Commander of the capital's military guards.

He held the rank of Senior Minister, with a gold seal and purple ribbon.

This was a position she never dared to dream of when she was weaving mats and selling shoes.

But once you actually sit down, you realize how hot the seat is.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were waiting for her inside.

But suddenly she didn't want to go back.

Because I didn't know what to say.

They were all fierce generals who could take on a thousand men on the battlefield, but in the quagmire of Xudu, all their courage and martial arts skills could only be wasted.

Given Yide's fiery temper, he might cause some trouble.

But if I don't say it, who else can I tell?

Standing under the eaves outside the main hall, Liu Bei heard Guan Yu's calm voice and Zhang Fei's hearty laughter from inside the courtyard, and suddenly felt a sense of emptiness in his heart.

She turned and left.

There were few pedestrians on the street, and she walked alone in the alley, her pace quickening.

She thought of someone.

The person who allows her to speak her mind without reservation.

The person who understands her situation, gives her advice, and won't betray her.

Liu Xun.

In Liu Bei's eyes, Liu Xun was the person who was most likely to understand her among all the people she had ever met.

He was the emperor's younger brother, a princess, and the Grand Master of Ceremonies in charge of the imperial guards; no one in the court or the country dared to underestimate him. Yet, he neither used his status to confront Cao Cao head-on nor blindly flattered Cao Cao and offended the emperor.

He skillfully navigated between Cao Cao and the emperor, maintaining both the dignity of the court and the cooperation with Cao Cao. He was loyal and righteous, yet never acted on impulse.

Moreover, Liu Xun treated him differently from the very beginning.

When they first met in Xuchang, everyone regarded her as a defeated general and a stray dog. Only Liu Xun stood in the waterside pavilion of the Sikong Mansion, cupped his hands and smiled at her, and said, "Xuande spreads benevolence and righteousness throughout the world and his integrity is known throughout the four seas. He is a true heroine of our time."

That was a ray of light shining in when she was at her lowest and most desperate.

But what truly won Liu Bei's heart was what happened at the foot of Pengcheng.

Liu Xun spoke out righteously, stopping Cao Cao from massacring the city and saving the lives of all its inhabitants.

The young man drew his sword, handed the hilt to Cao Cao, and said, "If you don't stop, you might as well kill me too."

What kind of courage and compassion is that?

At that moment, Liu Bei was actually desperately trying to hold back his tears.

In this chaotic world, there are others like me.

I am not alone on this path!

The more Liu Bei thought about it, the more she felt that the only person who could help her at this moment was Liu Xun.

He could understand her situation, her predicament, and her lack of control over her own destiny.

Moreover, he has no ulterior motives towards her and will not take advantage of her predicament to seek anything.

Liu Bei's pace quickened, and he almost started running.

Dusk was falling.

The gate of Wannian Courtyard appeared at the end of the street. The lanterns in front of the gate were already lit, and the dim yellow light reflected on the bluestone slabs, like a warm flame.

Liu Bei straightened his clothes and strode forward.

The gatekeeper recognized her and quickly bowed, saying, "Greetings, General."

"Is Your Highness here?" Liu Bei's voice was a bit more urgent than usual. "Please inform him that Liu Bei requests an audience."

The doorman bowed his head and said, "The master is not in the manor."

Liu Bei was taken aback: "Where has Your Highness gone, and when will you return?"

The servant replied, "The master left the capital two days ago and went to Hanoi."

Liu Bei frowned slightly. "May I ask what brings Your Highness to Hanoi?"

"It was Sima Lang, an official under the Minister of Works, who came to invite him," the gatekeeper explained. "He said his younger sister was ill, and His Highness had gone to see her."