Don't Pity the Emperor

Liu Bei, who should have been the most sought-after of them all, was deliberately left out in the cold by the feudal lords led by Yuan Shao. The only ones close to him were Cao Cao, Kong Rong, Tao Qian, and Sun Jian. Even Liu Dai, a member of the Imperial Clan, found Liu Bei thoroughly displeasing. Zhang Miao, Zhang Chao, and the others, who had once been close to him, had also begun distancing themselves, intentionally or otherwise.

Faced with this, Liu Bei showed no reaction. He waved and let the few of them go their separate ways, while he himself was left in peace.

Wang Xuan told Liu Bei outright that he could stop cultivating relationships with the feudal lords and such. With the strength he had displayed, those willing to befriend him would come to him on their own. Those unwilling to befriend him would not provoke him either. As for anyone harboring hostility, there was even less reason to care about them.

"Duke Xuande's subordinates truly are a succession of heroes! It is a blessing for the Han and a blessing for the people!" As a great scholar of his generation, Kong Rong was also behaving rather uninhibitedly at this moment. The Han was unlike later ages—it revered martial prowess above all. Even scholars and men of letters had to wear a sword at their waists. Though the decorative function outweighed the practical one, any scholar or man of letters could still show some real ability.

"Duke Xuande, are you not worried?" Holding a wine cup, Tao Qian came over and sat down by himself. He nodded toward Guan, Zhang, Zhao, and Dian, who were surrounded by the others. The meaning was obvious: these men were so brave and capable—what if someone lured them away? Every