Chapter 46: The Three Scholars of Qingzhou (Midnight Plea for Support)

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Wang Xiu was able to outmatch Bing Yuan, which speaks volumes about his talent and reputation. However, the matter ultimately did not succeed—not because Wang Xiu gave way to Bing Yuan, but because the turmoil of war interrupted the selection process for filial and incorrupt candidates, causing a delay.

Liu Bei was deeply moved upon hearing this, yet he expressed doubt: “I have long heard of Wang Shuzhi’s name, but since he is on such friendly terms with Kong Beihai and currently serves as the magistrate of Jiaodong County, how could I possibly persuade him to come?”

“This matter is difficult, but there is a way to try,” Liu Feng proposed his plan. “Kong Beihai once took care of Taishi Ziyi’s mother and owes a debt of gratitude to Taishi Ci. Taishi Ci is a man who values righteousness and is filial to his elderly mother. If Kong Beihai were to speak favorably on our behalf, it would surely be beneficial.”

“Shi Yi is a person Kong Beihai does not hold in high regard and currently holds a minor official post in the commandery. As long as Father makes the request, I believe Kong Beihai would be willing to transfer him to you.”

“Father could write a letter to Kong Beihai, asking him to help persuade Taishi Ci and Shi Yi, which would greatly increase the chances of success.”

“Only Wang Xiu is a different matter. Not only is he exceptionally talented and courageous in office, but his achievements have been remarkable. He has been Kong Beihai’s reliable right-hand man, solving many difficulties for him. He would be hard to part with.”

“This task is not easy, but Father, I will write the letter shortly.”

Liu Bei nodded in agreement, readily accepting the advice, yet his curiosity persisted. “What about Wang Xiu? Feng’er, do you have a way to persuade Kong Beihai to release him?”

Liu Feng offered a suggestion: “I have heard that Kong Beihai has two trusted confidants close to him—one named Wang Zifa, the other Liu Kongci—both eloquent men.”

“However, these two do not get along with Wang Xiu and often harbor jealousy towards him because of Kong Beihai’s respect for Wang.”

Liu Feng smiled with a hint of mischief: “If Father prepares a generous gift and entrusts these two to help persuade Kong Beihai, I believe they will assist in fulfilling your wishes.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei did not rejoice but instead furrowed his brow anxiously.

“Feng’er, I have something I must teach you,” Liu Bei sat upright and earnestly instructed his son: “I have neither great talent nor a reputation for wisdom, but I have always acted with benevolence and righteousness.”

“Life is like sailing across a vast sea; along the way, one may encounter many small gains, but to pursue these small gains while neglecting righteousness is to lose the greater cause for the sake of the trivial.”

“Kong Beihai has settled peacefully in Beihai, and Wang Shuzhi’s achievements are undeniable. You and I admire their virtue and talent and wish to recruit them. That is not wrong. But how can we collude with petty men to slander and harm the virtuous?”

Liu Feng knew his father had misunderstood, but he believed that Liu Bei’s words came truly from the heart.

Many in later generations criticized Liu Bei as a hypocrite, but in truth, if he were a false gentleman, he would not have earned the respect of heroes across the land.

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When Liu Bei was in Pingyuan, Kong Rong’s first thought in seeking help was him.

When Liu Bei was in Xuzhou, Tao Qian spared no effort, even sending troops, to keep him from returning to Qingzhou. Though Chen Deng and Mi Zhu played roles, there is no historical record that Tao Qian’s bequeathing of Xuzhou was fabricated or forged.

When Liu Bei was in Xuchang, Cao Cao treated him with great honor, appointing him Governor of Yuzhou, promoting him to Left General, and granting him the rank of “Yitong Sansi,” a title granting considerable authority.

When Liu Bei was in Yecheng, Yuan Shao treated him as a state guest, having his own son Yuan Tan serve him in a master-disciple manner.

When Liu Bei was in Jingzhou, Liu Biao regarded him as family, ultimately entrusting his son to him and intending to pass Jingzhou on.

If Liu Bei were a hypocrite, would so many great heroes be blind to it?

Before his death, Liu Bei told Liu Chan that his virtue was lacking and he deeply regretted seizing Liu Zhang’s inheritance—this must have been his genuine sentiment.

For most of his life, Liu Bei endeavored to follow benevolence and righteousness, conducting himself with kindness and integrity. If he were pretending, it would have been impossible to maintain.

Only a true believer in benevolence and righteousness could persist so steadfastly.

Although now pleased with Liu Feng’s clever strategies, Liu Bei also worried his son might place too much emphasis on cunning tactics and stray from the great path.

Hence his earnest admonition, a clear expression of his protective and loving heart.

“Your father speaks wisely; I will remember these words always,” Liu Feng replied.

Though Liu Feng understood his father’s misunderstanding, he did not immediately correct him, instead agreeing obediently before explaining, “Father, my intention was only to enlist Wang and Liu to persuade Kong Beihai more thoroughly and to build connections for you as external support.”

“Besides, although Wang and Liu harbor resentment towards Wang Shuzhi, they are not petty men who would act with deceit or malice. Kong Beihai’s eyes are sharp—if they harbored ill intentions, how could they escape his notice?”

After hearing this, Liu Bei reflected carefully and found the reasoning sound.

At this point, Liu Bei still viewed Kong Rong through a highly idealized lens, greatly admiring him.

The two had never developed a deep friendship, only exchanging mutual praise from afar, and Liu Bei had happened to save him once.

Kong Rong, in turn, had been gracious and did not look down on Liu Bei’s frontier warrior status, but rather praised him warmly, greatly enhancing Liu Bei’s reputation.

Therefore, in Liu Bei’s eyes, Kong Rong was a great scholar whose abilities could not be lacking.

He accepted Liu Feng’s explanation but cautioned that such strategies should be used sparingly.

When Liu Bei said “use less,” rather than “not at all,” Liu Feng understood his father’s meaning.

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His father still coveted Wang Shuzhi, fearing he might simply give up too easily.

Helplessly, Liu Feng comforted himself silently: well, carrying my father’s burden is not really a burden—I will bear it.

The two then discussed details and the contents of the letter to Kong Rong.

After concluding the discussion, Liu Bei wrote the letter on the spot.

When finished, he summoned a close attendant to select gifts and arranged for Yuan Cong and the guards to escort the envoy to Qingzhou.

Liu Feng then added, “There are two others who require your personal recruitment. It would be best to have Mr. Chen Qun write a letter to help sway them.”

Though Chen Qun strongly opposed Liu Bei taking over Xuzhou, after Liu Bei assumed control, he did not leave but remained under Liu Bei’s banner.

When Lü Bu successfully attacked Xiapi, Liu Bei returned and lamented to Chen Qun, regretting not heeding his advice earlier.

At that time, Chen Qun was Lü Bu’s captive and subsequently compelled to surrender.

After Lü Bu was destroyed by Cao Cao, Chen Qun and his father Chen Ji naturally surrendered as well and were brought back to Xuchang, severing their official relationship with Liu Bei.

Now things were different. Chen Qun remained in Xuzhou under Liu Bei’s command. As long as Liu Bei held firm, he could even rely on the Chen family of Yingchuan to expand into Yuzhou.

It was believed the Chen family would be pleased with this; when Liu Bei was in Yuzhou, Chen Ji and Chen Qun had already looked favorably upon him and invested.

Thus, the Chen father and son were relatively satisfied with Liu Bei.

“Do you need Changwen to write a letter as well?” Liu Bei guessed. “The two you wish to recommend must be distinguished men from Yingchuan?”

“Exactly!” Liu Feng confirmed. “These two are both from Yingchuan. One is named Xun You, courtesy name Gongda, a direct scion of the Xun family. Xun Chen, strategist for Yuan Shao, and Xun Yu, strategist for Cao Cao, are both his uncles.”