Chapter 14: Delivering Gold, a Truly Joyful Matter

Xu Huang bowed to Zhao Yun, patted his horse, and rode away.

Yang Feng's expression was gloomy, and he looked at Xu Huang with an unfriendly gaze.

"Lord Xuan De, you have always considered your martial skill unrivaled; how could you be defeated by that white‑robed junior general? Could you be harboring ill intent?"

Xu Huang, already gloomy, felt a pang of sorrow upon hearing those words.

"My lord, it is I, Xu Huang, whose skill falls short of others."

Yang Feng let out a cold snort and paid no heed to the kneeling Xu Huang.

"I am Liu Bei of Xuzhou, a descendant of the Prince of Zhongshan, thus a scion of the Han lineage. I have come to Chang'an following the Mi Clan merchant caravan. Sir, you may dismount and enter the main tent for a word. Sheathe your weapons and do not disturb the gentleman."

Yang Feng saw the others sheath their weapons, and with a few hundred men and horses at his command, he reckoned even Liu Bei would not dare to act rashly.

Thus Yang Feng, accompanied by a few guards, walked into Liu Bei's main tent amid the crowd. Upon entering, he was unabashed and boisterously sat in the seat of honor.

Zhang Fei's eyes widened in fury, his bristling beard standing on end, about to step forward and berate, when Liu Bei seized Zhang Fei's arm, shook his head, signaling him not to act rashly.

Zhang Fei forced his anger down and withdrew.

Seeing the expressions of the crowd, Yang Feng further concluded that Liu Bei and his companions were fearful of his forces and dared not act rashly.

Yang Feng, feigning indifference, said:

"Since you claim to be from the Mi Clan merchant caravan, I suppose you have plenty of fine goods?"

Liu Bei ordered tea to be served, and simultaneously, in a mysterious tone, said to Yang Feng:

"Sir, there are many people and prying eyes here; it's not convenient to speak."

Yang Feng nodded in understanding, ordered his men to withdraw, and Liu Bei also sent Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei away together.

"Sir, to be frank, our caravan hasn't made much profit this time, but I am willing to present you with five hundred jin of gold, plus a hundred bolts of brocade."

"Ah, Liu brother, meeting you for the first time I cannot accept such a grand gift without cause."

Yang Feng rubbed his plump hands, his eyes revealing a greedy expression.

Liu Bei chuckled inwardly, yet with a solemn face he advised:

"Sir, your words miss the point; though we have misunderstandings, we feel as if we've known each other long. These gifts are more than appropriate. Moreover, when I act in Chang'an later, I may need your assistance; at present I have a request to make."

Yang Feng rejoiced, knowing that if Liu Bei turned hostile now, he could certainly cut his way out with a hundred men. Keeping him would truly demand effort, and being so timely, wouldn't that be good for everyone?

"Brother Liu, please speak. I, Yang Feng, have always been wholeheartedly supportive of friends' matters."

"I wonder, Brother Yang, could you give me that junior general under you who wields a great axe? Our journey back would not be peaceful otherwise. That brother's great axe is quite intimidating, you know."

Yang Feng rolled his eyes disdainfully and said:

"I thought it was a big deal! That kid came to seek me five days ago, bragging about his high martial skill, only to be knocked over by one of your footmen's spears—quite a letdown. If you like him, Brother Liu, let him follow you."

"Then thank you, Brother Yang. I also have something else that you will surely like."

Liu Bei had a full wooden crate of soap carried in and placed it before Yang Feng.

"Is this… this is the soap? Nowadays wealthy families in Chang'an have hiked its price so high that a single premium piece can sell for a thousand coins."

Yang Feng opened his mouth wide, genuinely astonished, and already schemed in his mind how delighted his wife and father‑in‑law's family would be with these gifts.

The thought of that scene is simply wonderful!

Liu Bei, seeing his astonished expression, felt his heart bloom with joy.

"Brother Yang, there's no need for courtesy; we are as close as brothers, so just take it."

Yang Feng's eyes brimmed with tears; he almost called Liu Bei a confidant.

In the court, Yang Feng was not a great figure; he seldom earned much profit and often had to skim the military payroll to meet his needs.

Liu Bei's generous gesture made him seem like a god of wealth delivering coal in a snowstorm.

One must never offend such a god of wealth, so Yang Feng gladly made a decision, selecting three hundred elite cavalry to accompany Xu Huang in protecting the god of wealth.

Thus, Xu Huang—later praised by Cao Cao as "my Han Xin"—was sold for a crate of soap by Yang Feng.

Both sides thought they had made a great profit, and therefore treated each other even more courteously.

After the polite exchange, when Yang Feng left with the gold, brocade, and soap, Xu Huang and his cavalry were left standing alone on the side.

Yang Feng's meaning was clear: he told Xu Huang to follow Liu Bei from then on, since Xu Huang couldn't even defeat a single servant of Liu Bei, let alone the fierce bearded man beside him.

Xu Huang's face flushed red; he thought of his own abilities, followed Yang Feng for only a few days, and now was humiliated by this scoundrel.

Though he indeed could not defeat that white‑robed general…

Liu Bei, watching Yang Feng depart, cheerfully said to Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun:

"Gentle brothers, delivering gold is truly a wonderful thing!"

Then Liu Bei walked to the silent Xu Huang, patted his shoulder, and said:

"General Gongyin, Yang Feng is a mediocre talent, unworthy of a general's loyalty. You might as well stay and create great achievements together with me, Liu Bei."

Xu Huang remained silent for a while, bowed his head and closed his eyes, as if wrestling with his thoughts.

After a long while, Xu Huang slowly said:

"Lord Xuan De, I, Xu Huang, have long heard of your virtuous name. Since you have great ambition and do not despise my modest abilities, I am willing to repay you with my life."

Having said that, Xu Huang knelt on one knee and bowed.

"Ding‑dong, congratulations, host, you have gained another fierce general."

"Xu Huang, Strength 95, Intelligence 75, Politics 63, Leadership 95, Health 98, Loyalty to host 88."

Liu Bei helped Xu Huang up, watched Zhao Yun snatch the cloak from Xu Huang's shoulders, and then removed his own red greatcoat, draping it over Xu Huang's shoulders.

"Having you, General Gongyin, truly feels like rain after a long drought."

"Lord!"

Xu Huang had never received such treatment; his loyalty to Liu Bei instantly rose to 98.

"Come, General Gongyin, this is Zi Long, and this is Yi De; they are like brothers to me."

Liu Bei introduced Xu Huang to Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun clasped his fists and bowed.

"Gong Yin, I have offended you today; you have come from afar, and Zi Long's victory over you is not in the spirit of martial virtue."

Xu Huang quickly returned the salute.

"Not at all; General Zi Long's martial skill far exceeds mine; I shall certainly seek your instruction in the future."

"Hahaha, Gong Yin being able to spar with Zi Long for so long is already quite something; he's a fine man. Zi Long can't even say he can beat me or my second brother. Yang Feng that scoundrel is no good; Gong Yin, let us and a few of our brothers embark on a venture together. Come, come, tonight we're so merry, let's drink with him all night."

San Ye came over and patted Xu Huang on the shoulder; San Ye has always been very fond of those with great martial skill.

Xu Huang followed Liu Bei and the three of them into the main tent, turned back to glance at Zhongnan Mountain not far away, and felt a surge of satisfaction.

At last, I have finally found the worthy master of the virtuous name in my heart.