Chapter 41

Liu Bei used the system to check the attributes of several people; he was undoubtedly very satisfied with Zhang Liao and Gao Shun. As for Cao Xing, his martial force value was outstanding, while his other attributes were fairly ordinary, so Liu Bei planned to assign him to the elite guard.

Zhang Liao, martial force 96, intellect 79, politics 80, leadership 95, health 100, loyalty to host 98.

Gao Shun, martial force 92, intellect 81, politics 50, leadership 97, health 95, loyalty to host 95.

Cao Xing, martial force 85, intellect 68, politics 50, leadership 75, health 95, loyalty to host 95.

After Liu Bei brought Gao Shun under his command, the training of the entire Molin army was handed over to Gao Shun and Zhang Liao. Gao Shun was responsible for training the five thousand heavy infantry, while Zhang Liao was responsible for the three thousand ironclad heavy cavalry.

Cao Xing had an upright character, and Liu Bei still greatly appreciated his calmness in critical moments. Xiahou Dun was shot by Cao Xing with an arrow and became disabled; originally, after Xiahou Dun lost his eye, he went on a rampage and stabbed Cao Xing to death with a spear. But in this timeline, thanks to Liu Bei's butterfly effect, he remains healthy and alive to this day, so Liu Bei directly appointed Cao Xing as commander of the elite guard.

The next day, Liu Bei received a letter from Yuan Shao, in which he lavishly praised Liu Bei and expressed his willingness to share Qingzhou with Liu Bei.

Upon learning that the envoys were Feng Ji and Xu You, Liu Bei instantly hatched a plan…

Two days later, on the official road outside Xuzhou, a detachment of soldiers bearing Yuan Shao's great banner escorted his envoy party, coming in a mighty procession.

Xu You rode on a small donkey, his face showing disdain as he looked at Feng Ji sitting in a luxurious carriage nearby; Xu You felt quite proud, thinking that this old fool Feng Ji had any clever scheme at all! He relied only on his mouth and a three-inch unflinching tongue to bewitch people there.

Xu You even usually believed that, when it came to strategy under Yuan Shao's command, it had to be him, Xu Youzi, together with Tian Feng and Ju Shou; figures like Guo Tu and Shen Pei could not even enter his field of vision, let alone a lousy old fool like you, Feng Ji.

Feng Ji also knew Xu You's arrogance, but hehe, sorry, young man, I am the chief envoy sent by our lord, while you Xu You are merely an aide this time; no matter how quick-witted you are, what good is it? This time you still have to listen to me!

Along the way, each harbored his own ulterior motives as they approached the walls of Xuzhou; to their surprise, Liu Bei, now honored as Imperial Uncle, personally came to the city gate to greet them.

Liu Bei led hundreds of soldiers in formation to welcome them; seeing this, Feng Ji stroked his beard and gave a faint smile, full of poise as he said to Xu You:

"Youzi, after all, our lord is Yuan Shao, the Four-Generations Three-Dukes alliance leader; Liu Bei, that lowly mat-weaver and shoe-seller, still fears him in his heart."

Xu You returned a faint smile, sitting on his donkey with the air of a carefree scholar.

"That's natural, Elder Brother Feng; this mission is of great importance. If our lord adopts your opinion and takes Qingzhou, that would be a great merit."

Feng Ji laughed heartily, inwardly delighted, as if he had already achieved success and become the most valued strategist under Yuan Shao.

As they spoke, the party had already arrived before Liu Bei and the civil and military officials of Xuzhou; Liu Bei quickly stepped forward to the carriage, and seeing a feudal lord appear before him, Feng Ji did not dare to be negligent, alighted from the carriage and was about to greet him, but unexpectedly Liu Bei walked straight over to Xu You, who was riding the donkey.

"Sir must be the renowned Xu You, courtesy name Xu Youzi, whose fame shakes Jizhou; I have long heard of your name, and upon seeing you today you are indeed unlike ordinary folk. I have prepared some modest wine to welcome you and wash away your dust."

Xu You had originally been feeling depressed along the way, suppressed by Feng Ji's boasting and belittling; he considered himself exceptionally talented but unappreciated, and Yuan Shao had already rejected his suggestions several times, yet upon hearing Liu Bei's words of sincere affection, he was instantly moved!

Thus Xu You spoke with considerable excitement:

"Imperial Uncle, you overpraise me! I, Youzi, dare not accept such praise."

Liu Bei smiled, waved his hand, and then warmly stepped forward.

"In the past, the High Ancestor said that Zhang Liang could plan within the tent and win victories a thousand li away; sir, you are comparable to today's Xiao He."

Meanwhile, the chief envoy Feng Ji was left standing to the side; the old gentleman with an immortal's aura now had a somewhat embarrassed expression, slightly uneasy.

These words hit exactly where Xu You's heart lay; thus he glanced proudly at the chief envoy, that look full of meaning—look, what is an international superstar? What is international influence?

Feng Ji suddenly burst out laughing at this moment.

"I have long heard in Jizhou of the virtuous reputation of Liu Xuan De; today, upon seeing him, his words do not match reality."

Xu You's face changed dramatically; you old brat, is this how you treat my confidant?

"Feng Ji, hold your tongue; Imperial Uncle is an ally of our lord, do not be insolent!"

Feng Ji had originally intended to seize the initiative, draw Liu Bei's attention, then take the opportunity to play with his rhetoric; but he did not expect Liu Bei to look at him with a half-smile, Xu You and the civil and military officials of Xuzhou all staring at him with displeasure, and Zhang Fei beside him rolled up his sleeves, even the usually steady second brother opening his phoenix eyes.

The short and stout Jia Xu stepped forward and sneered:

"I suppose this must be the Starry Old Immortal Feng Ji spoken of by our lord; indeed, quite an imposing presence."

The ethereal Feng Ji opened his mouth to say something, but Liu Bei directly waved his hand to cut him off.

"Forget it; since you are Mr. Xu You's companion, you might as well join the banquet."

Upon hearing this, Feng Ji was about to argue, but seeing Xu You's smug face, he ultimately let out a sigh, thinking that if he messed things up, Yuan Shao would surely make him suffer.

Finally, the old immortal in tall hat and broad sash could only slink along with Xu You into the city, while Xu You, having vented his ill feeling, now felt a sudden fondness for Liu Bei.

This Liu Bei, after all a descendant of the Han house, truly recognizes that I, Xu You, am a peerless national talent—he has vision!!

At this moment, Xu You has already given Liu Bei a thumbs-up in his heart.