The Three Kingdoms: The Oath of the Peach Garden, the Rise of the Han Dynasty

Wang Jiang rushed forward, grabbed the man by the back of his collar, and pulled him down from the wall.

The man staggered a couple of steps to his feet, dusted himself off, and showed no panic on his face, simply looking calmly at the soldiers who had surrounded him.

He was around forty years old, with a handsome face, and looked like an ordinary, down-on-his-luck scholar.

"I am Jia Xu from Wuwei, a scholar passing through here who is currently stranded." He bowed respectfully.

"Why have you arrested me?"

Li Chang walked in and waved for the soldiers to leave.

"Mr. Jia, my apologies." Li Chang bowed apologetically.

"Ji County has just finished fighting, and the area outside the city is full of Bei Gong Boyu's chaotic troops. Fearing that it might not be safe for you at the post station, I specially brought people to fetch you to the prefect's residence."

My subordinates were ignorant and startled you, sir. Please forgive them.

Jia Xu glanced at the densely packed elite troops outside the courtyard, then at the sincere smile on Li Chang's face, and his lips twitched slightly.

Worried about my safety? Two hundred elite soldiers surrounded the inn, broke down the doors, and now you call that being worried about my safety? They're clearly afraid I'll escape!!

He didn't say it out loud, but if he had, there would have been no way to escape!

People have to bow their heads under the roof.

Alone and unarmed, killing him would be easier than crushing an ant!

"Thank you for your kind offer, strategist," Jia Xu said calmly.

"As a mere scholar, I am powerless and unable to even kill a chicken. Going to the prefect's office would be of no help, and would only cause trouble. It would be better for me to remain at the post station until the war is over, and I will return home on my own."

So weak that you can't even kill a chicken?

Li Chang took a closer look at the burly man from Guanzhong.

I doubt that someone who's almost forty years old could take on several of me!

"Sir, you jest." Li Chang stepped forward.

"Mr. Jia's talent is known throughout the world. I had long heard of his great name when he was in Luoyang."

Now that Liangzhou is in such chaos, it is the perfect time for a man to make his mark. My elder brother Liu Bei is known throughout the land for his benevolence and is eager to seek out talented individuals.

I have come today on behalf of my brother, earnestly requesting that you, sir, come out of seclusion to assist the Han dynasty and save the people of Liangzhou from their suffering!

Jia Xu was taken aback. He had heard so much about him? He was just a minor official who had resigned due to illness and returned to his hometown. Even in Luoyang, few people remembered him.

How could Liu Bei, who started his rebellion in Zhuojun, have long heard of his great name? He clearly had his eye on him for a long time!

"You flatter me, strategist." Jia Xu waved his hand, feigning surprise.

"I've only read a few books; I have no talent whatsoever. I know nothing about military campaigns or strategizing. You should find someone more capable as a strategist."

"Sir, there's no need for such modesty." Li Chang stared into his eyes, and his men quickly surrounded the inn.

"Bei Gong Boyu's army of 100,000 has besieged the city, and Ji County is in imminent danger. If you are willing to help, you can not only save the people of Ji County, but also save yourself!"

"If you refuse, in this chaotic world, if soldiers storm the inn, I cannot guarantee your safety!"

Jia Xu: "…………"

What does this mean? Are they not even going to act anymore? Is this how people who are desperately seeking talent are now asking for it?

He realized that the young strategist in front of him was a formidable character!

If you dare to say no today, you probably won't be able to leave this inn!

"Since the strategist is so hospitable," Jia Xu sighed, feigning helplessness.

"Then I will accompany the strategist to the prefect's residence to meet General Liu. If General Liu is truly as benevolent as the strategist says, I will consider staying."

"Excellent!" Li Chang exclaimed with delight. "But Mr. Wenhe is truly talented; my elder brother is already on his way!"

He had already informed Liu Bei of Jia Xu's true talent as soon as he discovered his name! A true scholar among Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun!

Jia Xu: "..."

Is this a case of them thinking they've got themselves figured out?

Before long, Liu Bei was seen running over with several personal guards.

He was still wearing his armor, which was stained with dried blood, and his face bore traces of gunpowder. The twin swords in his hands were still dripping blood.

It's obvious he just came down from the city wall; he didn't even have time to take off his armor!

"Mr. Jia!" Liu Bei reached out his hand from afar:

"I have long admired your esteemed name, sir! It is an honor to meet you today!"

Jia Xu listened intently, setting aside Liu Bei's polite words, but seeing Liu Bei covered in blood, his eyes were sincere and he had no airs whatsoever!

I felt a slight touch of emotion.

In Luoyang, he had seen too many high-ranking and powerful people, each one arrogant and domineering, treating human life as worthless.

I've never seen anyone like Liu Bei, who, after a battle covered in blood, would personally come to greet an unknown scholar!

"Jia Wenhe greets General Liu." Jia Xu bowed in greeting.

Liu Bei helped him up and held his hand tightly.

"Sir, there's no need for such formality! I've long wanted to invite you to serve, but I've never had the chance. Your presence today is truly a blessing from heaven, a blessing from the great Han!"

For the next half hour, Liu Bei and Jia Xu discussed the situation in Liangzhou.

Jia Xu was only going through the motions.

But as they talked, he discovered that although Liu Bei came from humble beginnings, he had an exceptionally accurate grasp of the general trend of the world, and he cared deeply for the people and always put their needs first!

He listened attentively to every suggestion he made, nodding frequently without showing the slightest impatience!

Even if most of what he says is nonsense, add a little bit of real substance!

This was completely different from the stubborn and self-willed people he had encountered before!

For the first time, Jia Xu felt a slight wavering in his heart!

Perhaps, following this benevolent General Liu, one can truly achieve great things?

"Mr. Wenhe," Liu Bei looked at him with utmost sincerity in his eyes:

"I earnestly request that you, sir, remain in the army and assist me in quelling the rebellion and restoring peace to the people of Liangzhou. I hereby swear that I will never fail you in this lifetime!"

Jia Xu looked into Liu Bei's clear and determined eyes, and then glanced at Li Chang, who clearly didn't look like a good person.

He remained silent for a moment, then finally stood up and bowed deeply to Liu Bei:

"General Meng does not despise me, Jia Xu is willing to serve you like a dog or a horse."

"Excellent!" Liu Bei was overjoyed and quickly helped him up. "Sir, you are truly a genius! With your help, how can we not defeat Beigong Boyu, or pacify Liangzhou!"

He immediately ordered: "Appoint Jia Xu as Military Advisor, and let him participate in all military affairs."

"Thank you, General." Jia Xu bowed.

Just then, urgent drumbeats sounded from the city wall. A personal guard ran over shouting, "My lord! The rebels are attacking again! The north gate is under attack!"

"knew!"

Liu Bei responded and turned to Jia Xu, saying:

"Sir, the military situation is urgent. I must go to the city wall to oversee the battle. Let my fourth brother accompany you to familiarize yourself with the camp's affairs. After I defeat the rebels, we can have a long talk all night!"

"Please proceed, General." Jia Xu nodded.

Liu Bei turned around and led his personal guards to run quickly towards the city wall, his armor still dripping with blood.

Only Li Chang and Jia Xu remained in the main hall.

As Jia Xu watched Liu Bei's departing figure, he slowly said, "General Liu, you are indeed a benevolent ruler."

"Brother, you've always been like this," Li Chang said with a smile.

Jia Xu suddenly turned his head and looked at Li Chang:

"Military Advisor Li, there's something I've never understood."

"Please speak, Mr. Wenhe," Li Changdao said.

"With your strategic planning, you could have steadily advanced, held strategic passes, and gradually eroded the rebel army without having to venture into dangerous territory just to capture a single city."

Looking into Li Chang's eyes, Jia Xu seemed to see a kindred spirit and immediately approached the matter from the most insidious perspective of human nature:

"You clearly had a foolproof plan, yet you deliberately abandoned all the advantages of the terrain, with the entire army retreating to Ji County, intentionally trapping yourself and your 20,000 soldiers in a deadly encirclement by 100,000 rebel troops."

"Just so he can claim the credit for recapturing Ji County all to himself before Huangfu Song's reinforcements arrive?"

Meanwhile, he added in his mind: Or is it that... Li Changgen's true purpose is not merely to quell the rebellion for the Han Dynasty?!

But I only dared to say it in my heart.

Am I right, strategist Li?

Li Chang caught Jia Xu's glance and smiled. For so long, only Jia Xu had noticed!

However, Jia Xu had never met any high-ranking eunuchs before. What he really wanted was the credit for recovering the entire Hanyang Commandery!

Liu Yan dared to exaggerate his achievements, so what's wrong with him exaggerating a little more?

Instead of answering directly, he walked to the door, then suddenly turned back, his gaze sharp and menacing.

"Mr. Wenhe, what about you? Were you really too slow at bypassing the firewall and got caught, or did you deliberately expose yourself to us?"