The one singing was Xu Shu.
After Qin Tian and Xu Shu brought their families north, they traveled through Chen State and entered Pei Commandery.
Xu Shu had wanted to take Qin Tian straight to Liu Bei.
But Qin Tian refused outright. Using "making inquiries" as an excuse, he bought two separate residences for their families, then stayed home all day, never venturing out. All he did was dote on his wife and play with his child.
Seeing this, Xu Shu thought, How is this any way to make inquiries? He's just lying around like a salted fish.
But he knew Qin Tian was rather lazy by nature.
Back when he served under Cao Cao, he had held a high position and borne a heavy workload, with little chance to rest.
Now that he had finally resigned, he intended to take some time off.
The problem was, Xu Shu was not like Qin Tian. He had a very good impression of Liu Bei, and after arriving in Pei County and making careful inquiries, he was even more convinced Liu Bei was a worthy ruler.
He kept enemies at bay beyond the borders and maintained harmony among the people at home, allowing the people of Pei County to live and work in peace.
In this age, when the warlords across the land pillaged everywhere and treated people like dirt, a ruler who governed with such benevolence was rarer than a needle in a haystack.
So after making inquiries for many days, he wandered around the city, hoping to catch Liu Bei's attention.
Alas, several days passed, and Liu Bei stayed cooped up in the county office all day, so Xu Shu still had not managed to enter his service.
As for Xu Shu's predicament, that Qin Tian fellow not only offered no comfort, he even mocked Xu Shu for not knowing how to market himself.
If he wanted to serve Liu Bei, he could simply go straight to the county office and meet him.
Even if he wasn't going to take the initiative, he could at least dress distinctively enough to catch someone's eye.
After thinking it over, Xu Shu decided to try this approach.
But he had been wandering around all morning and still had not seen Liu Bei, so he was getting a little frustrated.
Just as he was about to head home and discuss with Qin Tian how to enter Liu Bei's service, he heard a voice behind him:
"Sir, please wait!"
Xu Shu turned around and saw a man of refined bearing. He could not help asking in surprise:
"What might you want?"
At once, the man clasped his hands and bowed.
"I am Liu Bei, courtesy name Xuande. I heard your song just now and came to meet you!"
"May I ask your name, sir? Would you be willing to accompany me to my residence for a chat?"
Hearing that it was Liu Bei himself, Xu Shu was delighted and hurriedly smiled.
"I never expected to meet Lord Liu in person!"
"I am from Yingchuan, surnamed Xu, given name Shu, courtesy name Yuanzhi."
"Since Your Excellency has invited me, how could I refuse?"
Seeing that Xu Shu had not declined, Liu Bei was overjoyed. He gestured invitingly.
"In that case, please come with me, sir!"
The two turned back and saw Jian Yong catching up. Liu Bei hurriedly introduced him.
"This is my aide, Jian Yong, courtesy name Xianhe!"
Xu Shu hurriedly greeted him.
Jian Yong looked Xu Shu over, then smiled at Liu Bei.
"Though the appointed time has passed, misfortune gives way to fortune!"
"My lord was just seeking worthy men, and here this gentleman comes!"
Liu Bei beamed with delight and led Xu Shu toward the county office.
When the three arrived, Liu Bei gestured toward the main seat.
"Please take the seat of honor, sir!"
Xu Shu hurriedly shook his head.
"With Your Excellency here, how could I dare take the seat of honor?"
But Liu Bei insisted that Xu Shu sit in the main seat.
Seeing the two defer to each other, Jian Yong smiled.
"Please don't stand on ceremony, sir. My lord has always been like this!"
Faced with their warmth, Xu Shu could not refuse. He sat in the main seat, somewhat uneasy.
After seating Xu Shu, Liu Bei and Jian Yong took their places on either side.
Before Liu Bei could ask anything, Jian Yong said:
"I heard your song in the marketplace just now and knew you must be a man of great talent!"
"But why did you sing, 'A worthy ruler seeks men of talent, yet knows not that I am here'?"
Xu Shu gave an awkward smile.
"I'm afraid I've made Your Excellency laugh. I had heard that Your Excellency welcomed scholars and sought men of talent. I wished to offer my services, but did not dare present myself uninvited, so I sang in the marketplace to draw your attention."
Jian Yong stroked his beard and smiled.
Liu Bei, meanwhile, was overjoyed.
"Thank goodness you sang in the marketplace, sir. Otherwise, I would have missed a man of great talent today!"
Then he began chatting with Xu Shu.
Partly, he wanted to get to know Xu Shu; partly, he wanted to gauge his abilities.
When it came to recognizing talent, Liu Bei was one of the best in the late Han. His eye for people was keen.
He could usually tell whether someone was talented after just a brief conversation.
What was more, Liu Bei had a knack for conducting what was clearly an interview without letting it show, making the other person feel as though they were basking in a spring breeze.
After their conversation, Liu Bei was fairly certain Xu Shu was indeed a talented man—an exceptionally talented one!
He was especially gifted in military affairs. Whether drilling troops or arranging formations, he had his own distinctive insights.
Once Liu Bei realized this, he grew more and more delighted as they talked.
His camp was not short of military commanders.
Nor did he lack civil officials to govern. What he needed was a great talent like Xu Shu, skilled in military strategy!
So Liu Bei grew increasingly familiar with him, and before long, he was addressing him by his courtesy name.
Watching from the other side, Jian Yong also nodded to himself.
Xu Shu was indeed capable. Today's trip had not been in vain.
When he saw the two discussing the state of the realm, he took the opportunity to ask:
"What does Yuanzhi think of the state of the realm today?"
As soon as he asked, Xu Shu furrowed his brow.
"To discuss the state of the realm today, we must first speak of Emperors Huan and Ling."
"Since the reigns of those two emperors, the realm has fallen into disarray. The Han Dynasty's four hundred years of rule have nearly come to ruin."
"Though Cao Cao escorted the Son of Heaven east, the warlords are now rising everywhere, and Yuan Shu has committed treason. It is clear that one man must sweep aside the warlords before he can achieve supremacy and restore the Han Dynasty!"
Hearing this, Liu Bei felt a pang of sorrow.
"Alas, though Bei is descended from the Han imperial house, I have few troops and generals. Even knowing Yuan Shu has committed treason, I can do nothing. I have truly failed my ancestors!"
Seeing Liu Bei like this, Xu Shu hurriedly comforted him.
"Your Excellency, please don't worry. Though Yuan Shu now has many troops and generals and is unmatched in power, by committing treason he will surely draw the opposition of all the heroes of the realm!"
"Your Excellency can take advantage of the situation and attack Yuan Shu!"
"As for the outcome of a clash between two armies, strength is one factor, but strategy is another!"
"With proper planning, Yuan Shu can certainly be defeated!"
Jian Yong stroked his beard and nodded.
"Yuanzhi is absolutely right!"
Liu Bei immediately bowed.
"Though Bei is unworthy, I am willing to serve my country and my house. Your words have heartened me greatly!"
"I would like to appoint you as my army's strategist. Would you be willing to assist me in accomplishing great things?"
His words were utterly sincere, making it hard to refuse.
But seeing this, Xu Shu smiled and hurriedly helped Liu Bei up.
"My lord, please don't do this. I came here to offer my service. Your willingness to accept me is already a great kindness. How could I refuse?"
"But the position of strategist bears too great a responsibility. It should be entrusted to a truly worthy man. Please forgive me, but I cannot accept it!"
"What do you mean, sir?"
Liu Bei raised his head, utterly bewildered.
"You are a man of great talent. Naturally, you should serve as strategist. If not you, who could take the position?"
Jian Yong, too, stared at Xu Shu in utter confusion.
Under their gaze, Xu Shu smiled faintly.
"Actually, besides offering my service, I came today with someone to recommend!"
"This man's talent is second to none in the world!"
"If my lord wishes to accomplish great things, he cannot do so without this man's service!"
"As for the position of strategist, only he is worthy of it!"
Hearing this, Liu Bei and Jian Yong looked at each other.
Xu Shu was already a rare talent.
Who could have imagined there was an even greater expert behind him?
What kind of man would earn such praise from Xu Shu?
Thinking this, Liu Bei hurriedly asked:
"Where is the man Yuanzhi recommends? What is his name?"
Xu Shu gave a mysterious smile.
"He is in Xiaopei. Your Excellency must have heard his name."
"Do either of you know of the Qilin talent?"
At the words "Qilin talent," Liu Bei's whole body jolted. He stared wide-eyed at Xu Shu, unable to believe it.
"Could the man Yuanzhi speaks of be surnamed Qin, named Tian, with the courtesy name Zixuan?"
Jian Yong was dumbfounded.
No way, no way.
He had only mentioned it in passing. Could Qin Tian really have come?
Seeing their reaction, Xu Shu smiled in satisfaction.
"That's right. Zixuan is my friend. When he learned I was coming to offer my service to Your Excellency, he came along. He is now living in the city!"
"If my lord seeks a strategist, he should pay him a visit. If you can persuade him to enter your service, your great ambitions will be fulfilled, and great things will be within reach!"
After Xu Shu confirmed it, Liu Bei's expression brightened. His eyes gleamed as he looked at Jian Yong.
Now that's what you call a surprise!
Qin Tian, a talent of the highest order, had actually come to Xiaopei!
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