Chapter 270: Cao Cao Gains Xu Chu, as Liu Bang Gained Fan Kuai

Liu Che also kept exclaiming, "Dragging a plow ox… the name 'Tiger Fool' is indeed not unfounded."

"Cao Mengde's way of employing people truly has its uniqueness."

"But this 'bare‑clothed duel with Ma Chao' reminds me of Fan Kuai of old; at the Hongmen banquet he was likewise blunt and daring."

Liu Bang was even more delighted, pointing at Xu Chu on the sky screen and saying to Ying Zheng, "Brother Zheng, does Xu Chu look like Fan Kuai, who served under me back then?"

"Fan Kuai and Xu Chu both came from peasant families, each possessed great brute strength, were loyal only to their lord, and understood nothing else!"

"Haha, that kid Cao Cao's taste is pretty much the same as ours!"

Ying Zheng's mouth twitched slightly, and he ignored him.

He stared at the sky screen and said in a deep voice, "In chaotic times such warriors arise; they gather their clans for self‑protection, later choose a lord to serve, and remain steadfastly loyal."

"Their strength can lift a cauldron, their courage can repel enemies; truly a general's talent. Yet… they are overly blunt, easy for others to exploit."

Across the myriad realms and eras, emperors of all ages, looking at this "Tiger Fool," have given varied assessments.

Tang, during the Zhenguan era.

Li Shimin watched the scene of Xu Chu battling Ma Chao, nodded and said, "Men like Xu Chu and Dian Wei are foes to ten thousand men."

"For one who serves a ruler, such loyal and brave men should be at his side, ready for unforeseen events."

"However, for a general, if one knows only bravery and strength but not military strategy, one will ultimately fail to become great."

"Zhi'er, when you later choose bodyguards, you must also pick some with brains."

Li Zhi (Prince of Jin) hurriedly bowed, "I, your son, will heed father‑emperor's teachings."

Song dynasty.

Zhao Kuangyin stroked his beard and laughed, "This Xu Chu is interesting. Dragging a plow ox—haha, his strength is truly huge."

"But what I like most is his loyalty—choosing a lord to serve and staying unwavering for life."

"A minister should be like this. Zhao Pu, what do you think?"

Zhao Pu smiled, "Your Majesty is wise."

"Xu Chu is brave yet has no ambition, only knows how to protect his lord; this is the blessing of a minister and the fortune of a ruler."

Ming, Hongwu era.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Xu Chu bare‑chested on the sky screen and grinned with delight.

"Hey! This black Great Han, what a temperament! At a glance, he's a genuine man!"

"In war, sometimes you need this kind of simple vigor! Just like the old brothers who served under me back then!"

"But having only simple vigor isn't enough; you also need a brain."

"When Xu Chu rescued his lord at the Wei River, his mind was sharp; he knew to use a saddle to block arrows."

He turned to Zhu Biao and Zhu Di and said, "A ruler toward his ministers must not only know how to employ them, but also trust them and treat them generously."

"If you treat them as brothers, they will be willing to give their lives for you. Cao Cao did that quite well."

Zhu Biao and Zhu Di nodded repeatedly.

Ming, Yongle era.

Zhu Di looked at Xu Chu, admiration in his eyes, "What a tiger general!"

"Such divine strength, when charging into battle, is like the sharpest spearhead!"

"My Jingnan campaign needs warriors who dare to fight and strive like this!"

"However, as a close‑bodyguard, he is still too conspicuous."

"I still prefer someone like Ji Gang—seems gentle, but strikes darkly."

Qing, Kangxi era.

Qianqing Palace.

Kangxi looked at the sky screen and said to the princes and ministers beside him, "Xu Chu's bravery is indeed commendable."

"But his 'foolishness' in loyalty and righteousness, lacking adaptability, is also his flaw."

"A ruler certainly needs capable generals as guards, but also must discern even the smallest details, lest he be blinded by such blunt ministers."

"Yinzhen, remember, governing the below requires a balance of leniency and severity."

Crown Prince Yinzeng and Fourth Prince Yinzhen hurriedly affirmed.

Qianlong era.

Yangxin Hall.

Qianlong and He Shen were discussing Xu Chu on the sky screen.

Qianlong lifted his tea cup and said leisurely, "This Xu Chu is truly a man of character. The term 'Tiger Fool' fits him perfectly."

"He has brute strength, no ambition, and is utterly devoted to his lord—that is the epitome of a loyal minister."

"I simply love such ministers."

He Shen's eyes twitched, and he promptly added, "Your Majesty is wise!"

"This Xu Chu is like an honest country farmer, only knowing how to work hard without looking up the road."

"But such a person is the most reliable! Unlike some people whose minds are like beehives, always scheming how to infiltrate camps, how to flatter the lord, while perhaps plotting the lord's downfall!"

"I, your servant, see that if Xu Chu were born in our Qing, he would surely be the emperor's most trusted Batur!"

Qianlong was amused, laughing scolded, "You, you only know how to block me with words."

"However, you have a point. Xu Chu, though fierce in battle, indeed lacks a bit of cleverness."

"Look at him fighting Ma Chao, shedding his armor— isn't that reckless? What if a cold arrow hits him? He still needs a brain."

He Shen hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, yes! Your Majesty's admonition is spot‑on!"

"Only bravery without strategy is ultimately the courage of a common man."

"I, your servant, will henceforth learn more from Your Majesty, increase my wisdom, and never emulate Xu Chu, who only knows how to brute‑force."

In the late Thus: Eastern Han, Xudu, Cao Cao's residence.

Cao Cao was discussing state affairs with Guo Jia, Xun You and others when the celestial banner suddenly appeared.

When he saw the characters "Xu Chu" and the scenes of a plowing ox being dragged backward, the Wei River rescuing the lord, and a nude fight against Ma Chao, Cao Cao's hand that was stroking his beard trembled slightly.

He sprang to his feet, pointed at the celestial banner, and burst into loud laughter, a hint of choking sob in his voice:

"Hahaha! Zhong Kang! It's Zhong Kang! Heaven's Way has eyes! You simpleton, you'll have a day on the list too!"

"'Cao Gong Fan Kuai', ha ha, Cao have you as the High Ancestor had Fan Kuai! With you here, I fear not the heroes of the world?!"

He turned to Guo Jia and the others, a smug smile on his face: "Everyone, did you see? This is my Zhong Kang! Unparalleled in loyalty and bravery!"

"The Wei River rescued Cao, and Cao is deeply grateful; this eighth rank, Zhong Kang truly deserves it!"

Guo Jia, Xun You and the others, seeing Xu Chu's simple yet fierce demeanor, felt admiration and hurriedly congratulated Cao Cao.

Xu Chu himself stood outside the hall, looking up at the celestial banner.

His dark face first broke into a hearty smile, then a glint of watery light flashed in his eyes.

He said nothing, but silently gripped the dagger at his waist even tighter.

Lord's kindness is as heavy as a mountain; today I can make the heavenly list, and this life protecting Cao, I would die without regret!

Jiangdong, Sun Ce's domain.

Sun Ce gazed at the celestial banner, his heart yearning: "Gongjin, look at Xu Chu, his strength unparalleled, his loyalty and righteousness unmatched."

"Cao Cao having this guard is truly like a tiger gaining wings."

"If Jiangdong had such a fierce general, why worry that great affairs won't succeed?"

Zhou Yu twirled his feather fan and laughed: "Bo Fu, this man's strength is boundless, his nature simple, a pure warrior."

"Dealing with him only requires wit, not brute force."

"However, having him by Cao Cao's side is indeed a great aid."

Hebei, Yuan Shao's camp.

Yuan Shao stared at the celestial banner, his expression somewhat grim.

Although he commands Yan Liang and Wen Chou, he truly lacks a close bodyguard like Xu Chu, who solely protects his lord and fears death not.

"What a pity… such a fierce general, and he ends up with Cao Cao."

Yuan Shao sighed, "Yan Liang and Wen Chou are brave, but when it comes to loyalty and protection of the lord, they probably cannot match Xu Chu."

Ju Shou, Tian Feng and the others also fell silent.

Above the celestial banner, golden light swirled again.

The eighth Xu Chu, with his unique simple bravery and ferocity, shocked every dynasty.

Then, who would be the seventh?