novelAbuy Chapter 44: Aren't you two being a bit too hasty?
Chapter 44: Aren't you two being a bit too hasty?
After Liu Bei made a joke to Lu Yong,
He quickly reached out to untie the ropes binding Guo Jia.
With a warm, apologetic smile on his face, he said, "Mr. Fengxiao, you have been wronged. On behalf of Huai'an and Zilong, we apologize to you."
Guo Jia, however, sidestepped Liu Bei's hand.
Liu Bei's hand froze in mid-air, and the smile on his face also paused for a moment.
Guo Jia looked at Lu Yong and asked, "We are complete strangers, so how did you come to know of my talents?"
As soon as he asked the question, Lu Su's gaze involuntarily fell on Lu Yong.
He actually had this question as well.
After finishing his business in Shouchun, Lu Yong made a special detour to Dongcheng to find him.
It seems he already knew where he was and what his talents were.
But they had never had any contact before.
He spoke with absolute certainty that he was good at general strategies, a fact known little among his clansmen.
Liu Bei was also very curious, but he never found an opportunity to ask.
At this moment, Guo Jia asked the question on their behalf, and the two of them stared at Lu Yong, waiting for him to speak.
Lu Yong pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked with a smirk, "Would you like to drink the strongest liquor in the world?"
"Hmm?" Guo Jia was taken aback upon hearing this.
He had expected Lu Yong to come up with an explanation or mention someone who had recommended him.
Unexpectedly, the question that came up was completely unrelated.
Liu Bei and Lu Su were also stunned.
What kind of answer is that?
What surprised the two even more was Guo Jia's reaction.
"You have?"
"have."
"Then I'll go with you."
"..." Everyone's jaws dropped.
This is actually allowed?
One traded alcohol for a person.
One bows down for wine.
Aren't you two being a bit too hasty?
But Lu Yong knew that Guo Jia's loosening of his tongue wasn't really because of the wine.
From Ye City to Xuzhou,
Then from Xuzhou to Danyang,
Along the way, Guo Jia saw the difference between Liu Bei and other forces.
One hundred thousand people, along with their families, crossed the Yangtze River southward.
Their faces didn't show the despair of refugees, but rather hope.
Guo Jia was naturally able to figure out the key to this.
He had actually seen through most of Liu Bei's true nature and Lu Yong's plans long ago.
Lu Yong's "wine" was nothing more than giving Guo Jia a way out.
Although Liu Bei did not understand the key to it, he reacted quickly.
Seeing that Guo Jia had given in, he immediately stepped forward again and reached out to untie the ropes.
This time, Guo Jia did not dodge.
The rope hit the ground.
Guo Jia moved his wrists, which were numb from being constricted, but still looked lazy.
Liu Bei feared that Guo Jia would be looked down upon by others.
Just as I was about to say something to smooth things over for him,
Lu Yong spoke first: "My lord need not worry."
Fengxiao has actually seen through our plans long ago.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask him in person.
Upon hearing this, Guo Jia seemingly scoffed dismissively and muttered, "Who needs your explanation?"
That being said, he did not deny it.
Liu Bei's eyes lit up, and he immediately straightened his clothes, bowed deeply to Guo Jia, his hands almost touching the ground: "I have many questions, and I ask Fengxiao for your guidance."
This bow was truly full of sincerity.
Guo Jia was deeply moved by what he saw.
When he served under Yuan Shao,
Although Yuan Shao treated him with some courtesy,
But the condescending attitude that came with that courtesy made Guo Jia extremely uncomfortable.
Liu Bei's bow was not perfunctory at all.
You must know, Liu Bei was the Governor of Yu Province!
Although Guo Jia came from a prominent family in Yingchuan, he was only slightly better off than someone from a poor family, and he was still a commoner.
The difference in their social status is considerable.
However, the fact that Liu Bei treated him with such great courtesy demonstrates his high regard for talent.
"I wouldn't presume to offer guidance," Guo Jia returned the greeting with a cupped hand. "If you have any doubts, please feel free to ask."
Liu Bei straightened up, his eyes almost overflowing with joy.
But now is not a good time to ask questions, after all, there are still a lot of people waiting to be dealt with.
Liu Bei took Guo Jia's hand, then turned to Zhao Yun and said, "Zilong, you've come back just in time. I was worried that Dangtu would be left unguarded."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yun immediately clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Please give your orders, my lord."
"Xu Wenxiang has already led his army to capture Dangtu. After you arrive, you will be assigned two thousand soldiers to take over the defense of the military camp."
After Yide's cavalry arrives, the cavalry battalion will be returned to you.
Liu Bei paused, his tone becoming serious:
"All the people must transfer from Dangtu Wharf to the waterway."
Liu Yao and Sun Ce could make a move here at any time.
Zilong, you must be very careful.
"Yun will certainly not fail the lord's trust!"
Zhao Yun clasped his hands in acceptance, but then suddenly remembered something else.
"My lord, Yun has brought fifty young men from Zhao Family Village this time. They all want to serve you. Please make arrangements for them."
Liu Bei looked at the fifty young men from Zhao Family Village and bowed respectfully.
Those people clearly did not expect Liu Bei to bow to them, and hurriedly returned the greeting with clasped hands.
"They will be placed under your command for now, and you can make your own arrangements," Liu Bei said to Zhao Yun.
Zhao Yun clasped his hands in thanks again and said, "Thank you, my lord."
Zhao Yu, standing to the side, couldn't help but tug at Zhao Yun's sleeve and whispered, "Brother, what about me?"
Zhao Yun glared at her and said softly, "Don't make a scene, this is a military matter."
Zhao Yu pouted, looking somewhat unhappy.
Liu Bei wanted to offer some words of comfort, but he didn't know where to begin.
At this moment, Lu Yong suddenly spoke up: "If you don't mind the hardships of military life, you can recruit strong women from the countryside to form a female army, specifically responsible for taking care of the women and children in the ranks."
Zhao Yu's eyes lit up, and she immediately looked at Zhao Yun.
Zhao Yun then looked at Liu Bei.
Liu Bei smiled and said, "What the strategist says, we shall do as he says."
Zhao Yu was overjoyed and quickly imitated Zhao Yun by clasping his hands in a fist and palm salute: "Thank you, my lord!"
Liu Bei looked around and waved his hand:
"Pass down the order: the entire army shall set off, first to Dangtu."
Upon arrival, a banquet was held to celebrate the victory.
A welcome dinner for Zilong, Fengxiao, and the brothers and sisters of Zhao Family Village.
The soldiers responded in unison.
The army set off, marching along the official road towards Dangtu.
On the way, Liu Bei and Guo Jia rode in the same carriage, presumably having a deep conversation alone.
When the most powerful succubus of the late Han Dynasty made her move, almost no one could escape unscathed.
Just over an hour later, Lu Yong heard a system notification.
[System Log: Host helped Liu Bei recruit Guo Jia, today's achievement +1.]
[Current Achievements Pending Settlement: 1 item.]
Lu Yong's lips curled slightly, and he murmured softly, "You kid, your stamina is lacking!"
As dusk fell, the county seat of Dangtu came into view.
The city wall has been replaced with a large banner bearing the character "Liu".
Xu Sheng led a team out of the city to welcome them.
He strode to Liu Bei's horse, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "My lord, Dangtu has been captured successfully."
Of the more than 400 defenders, 300 surrendered, and the rest fled.
The treasury still held four thousand shi of grain, more than ten warships, and nearly a hundred civilian boats.
Liu Bei dismounted, helped Xu Sheng up, and said gently, "Thank you for your hard work, Wenxiang."
Xu Sheng stood up, his gaze immediately falling on Zhao Yun, and a look of joy appeared in his eyes: "General Zilong is back!"
Zhao Yun nodded and smiled, "Wenxiang, you've worked hard."
Liu Bei then said to Xu Sheng, "Wenxiang, from now on, I will hand over the two thousand new soldiers and the defense of Dangtu to Zilong."
"You stay here for two days until Zilong is familiar with the defenses, then you can join us."
"Your subordinate obeys." Xu Sheng accepted the order without hesitation, clasping his hands in a gesture of respect.
Seeing his decisive manner, Liu Bei felt a little guilty.
After all, the new army was built up by Xu Sheng and Lu Yong, with Xu Sheng pulling them up hand in hand.
After training for so long,
It's still somewhat hurtful to think that someone can just give up like that so easily.
After a moment's thought, Liu Bei spoke again to Xu Sheng:
"Wenxiang, since you joined us, you have been assisting the military advisor in training troops, marching, and fighting, and have made many contributions."
Now, it's time to step up and stand on your own...
However, before he could finish speaking, Xu Sheng interrupted Liu Bei with a fist salute.
"My lord, I still prefer to follow the strategist..."
Liu Bei was taken aback and asked, "Why?"
Xu Sheng grinned, revealing a set of bright white teeth:
"Following the strategist, you can learn real skills!"
Along this route,
From troop deployment and scout reconnaissance to uncovering ambushes,
This has truly broadened my horizons!
Xu Sheng's words made Guo Jia look at him with new respect once again.
Liu Bei glanced at Xu Sheng, then at Lu Yong, finally sighed, and smiled:
"Fine, come along if you want. Just don't blame me for holding you back later."
Xu Sheng clasped his hands in a respectful gesture and said solemnly, "Rest assured, my lord, I will never regret this."