Chapter 60

Lu Zhi helped Liu Bei up.

"Xuande, no need for such formalities. I know everything about your affairs."

"The people of Xiaopei formed groups to see you off, which shows you have won the hearts of the people."

"I know your ability to lead troops; the Baibo Army will not be your match."

He patted Liu Bei's hand.

"You did not fear power and dealt with those young masters—your teacher is very happy!"

"Teacher, I have only learned a little of your integrity."

Liu Bei offered up some flattery!

Lu Zhi stroked his beard and laughed loudly.

"Xuande, you have also learned to flatter."

"Tonight, Cai Yong is holding a banquet. Come with me so you can get to know more people."

Liu Bei nodded.

"I will respectfully follow your instructions, Teacher."

He thought to himself,

"What is there to see about Cai Yong? Cai Yan is the one who is good to look at!"

Lu Zhi added,

"The Emperor has assigned you three thousand troops. Go to the Luoyang camp later and meet them."

"Yes."

Luoyang camp,

"Commandant Liu, these are the three thousand troops. Check them."

Grand General He Jin's younger brother, Chariot and Cavalry General He Miao, pointed at the three thousand scrawny, sickly soldiers on the drill ground.

Zhang Fei was angry.

"What kind of soldiers are these? Even the Yellow Turban soldiers are more elite than them!"

He Miao sneered.

"Whether you want them or not, that's all there is!"

He pointed to the fifty or so people over there.

"Those over there are elite soldiers. See? Look how neatly they stand."

Liu Bei also noticed that among these three thousand people, only those fifty elites looked more elite than the soldiers he had trained in Xiaopei.

He Miao couldn't be bothered to talk nonsense. This Liu Bei didn't understand the rules at all and didn't send gifts. If it weren't for the fact that his teacher was Lu Zhi, he would have kicked him out directly!

He Miao left.

Guo Jia said from the side,

"Brother Xuande, those fifty people are silent, and their military discipline is very good. I'm afraid this Platoon Leader is a talent."

Liu Bei nodded and asked the Platoon Leader of those fifty people to come over for questioning.

The Platoon Leader walked over. His face was pale yellow and dignified, his figure was not tall, his palms were large and calloused, and his voice was steady.

"Subordinate Gao Shun greets Commandant Liu."

Liu Bei was stunned.

"You are Gao Shun?!"

He hadn't expected that one of Lu Bu's two great generals would appear here.

Liu Bei thought about it and felt relieved. Historically, Gao Shun appeared after Lu Bu killed Dong Zhuo; he was not Lu Bu's Bingzhou direct subordinate and was often stripped of military power.

He didn't even have a courtesy name, so he shouldn't be from a scholar-official family.

Gao Shun was somewhat strange.

"Commandant Liu, do you know me?"

Liu Bei waved his hand.

"I don't know you. The troops you lead are in orderly formation, and their military discipline is very good. I imagine you are also someone who knows how to lead troops, and I'm afraid you just don't know how to flatter and offended your superiors."

These words went straight to Gao Shun's heart.

He cupped his hands and didn't say anything.

Liu Bei nodded. Gao Shun was a loyal and righteous person. When Xiapi city fell, even Zhang Liao surrendered to Cao Cao, but this Gao Shun truly met his death generously.

One had to know that Lu Bu didn't treat him very well, only giving him command of the Trapping Battalion during wartime.

"Platoon Leader Gao, you are familiar with the situation here. From those two thousand nine hundred people, select four hundred and fifty to join your fifty and form a unit of five hundred."

Liu Bei paused.

"You will be the Company Commander of this unit of five hundred. Remember, better to have quality than quantity. If you don't have five hundred, I will fill it up for you later."

Gao Shun felt somewhat excited inside. He hadn't expected that he would instantly become a Company Commander commanding five hundred people!

This counted as being promoted two levels, skipping the rank of Squad Leader.

However, his expression was very calm, and he cupped his hands.

"Understood!"

Gao Shun turned and left to strictly screen the men below.

Liu Bei shook his head to himself. This Gao Shun truly didn't know how to act; he promoted him, and he didn't even say thank you. Fortunately, he knew his ability.

A training expert—the Trapping Battalion he trained was invincible. "The ambition to trap the enemy; advance and never retreat!"

Guo Jia laughed.

"Brother Xuande, this Gao Shun has pride and is indifferent to favor or humiliation. Congratulations on gaining another good general."

Liu Bei laughed.

"What I'm happiest about is gaining you as a military advisor. Let's go; while there's still some time, let's go to the famous Drunken Moon Pavilion in Luoyang to drink."

Guo Jia smiled bitterly and shook his head. He didn't know what Liu Bei saw in him; he would change, wouldn't he! What a debt of fate!

However,

With wine to drink, how could Guo Jia refuse? He had to go!

Liu Bei drank Guo Jia under the table,

rested for a while with Lady Gan, and went to Cai Yong's mansion for the banquet in the evening.

Broadcast room,

"The Liu thief is shameful!"

"Picked up a drunkard, and now picked up a Platoon Leader who doesn't know how to act?"

"Others are all from great clans with deep family learning; this guy just finds some weird people."

"To the one above, Liu Big-Ears also wants to find great clans, but unfortunately, no one pays him any mind."

"That's right. Maybe this Gao Shun is quite good; after all, Liu Big-Ears is best at scratching lottery tickets!"

"I don't believe he can win the jackpot every time!" ===== CHAPTER 61 =====