After Zhong Bo left, Cai Yan looked at Qin Tian and asked,
"Are you feeling unwell, husband?"
When she saw that Qin Tian had chosen not to receive their guest, her first reaction was not to ask why, but to worry that something was wrong with him.
But the moment she said this, Cai Yao gave her a look of disdain.
"No wonder brother-in-law once said that wise men don't fall into the river of love. How have you become so foolish too, sister?"
"Brother-in-law isn't unwell at all. He simply doesn't want to meet the person accompanying Xu Shu!"
Cai Yan had a gentle temper. Faced with the taunt, she didn't get angry. Instead, she looked at Qin Tian and asked,
"Husband, is it really as Zhenji says?"
Seeing this, Qin Tian grinned.
"With a wife like you, what more could a man ask for?"
"Just as Zhenji says. It's not that I don't want to see Yuanzhi, but that I don't want to meet the person accompanying him!"
Hearing the adults talking, Suier raised her head and asked,
"Father, who is Uncle Xu's companion? Why won't you see him?"
Seeing his daughter ask, Qin Tian smiled affectionately.
"The visitor is called Liu Bei, courtesy name Xuande. He's a great hero!"
Suier didn't understand what a great hero was. She sucked on her finger and nodded as if she did.
Cai Yan only grew more puzzled when she heard this.
"You haven't left the house, husband. How do you know it must be Lord Liu who came?"
"Right! Why won't you see Liu Bei, brother-in-law?"
Cai Yao was more direct, voicing her confusion.
Looking at their puzzled faces, Qin Tian shook his head.
"Liu Bei is an ambitious hero!"
"Xu Yuanzhi came to Xiaopei this time to join Liu Bei."
"He hasn't come here for several days, which means Yuanzhi has already gotten his wish!"
"But now he's come again, and he has someone with him. Most likely, Xu Yuanzhi recommended me to Liu Bei."
"Liu Bei has great ambitions. Once he knows I'm here, he'll come in person."
"So I don't need to leave the house to know that Liu Bei and his party must be outside."
"But the time isn't right yet. I can't meet him just like that!"
"I'll wait a few days, then see how things develop!"
With that, Qin Tian said no more.
The main reason he had refused to meet Liu Bei was to test his patience!
After all, this wasn't the eve of the Battle of Red Cliffs.
Back then, Liu Bei had been tossed from place to place, accomplishing nothing, and the world had worn down his sharp edges.
So when Zhuge Liang left seclusion, he and Liu Bei had fit together like fish and water, each complementing the other.
But at this point in time, though Liu Bei had suffered several setbacks, no one yet knew what sort of temperament he had.
The truth was, Liu Bei wasn't a man who conquered the world with tears.
The real Liu Bei had a fiery temper!
That didn't mean he was violent toward others; he was simply quick to ignite.
There was no need to mention flogging the post-station inspector or rushing to Xuzhou with only a lone army.
Take the later Battle of Hanzhong. When the attack dragged on without success, Liu Bei braved a rain of arrows and prepared to lead the charge himself.
If Fa Zheng hadn't tried so hard to stop him, one stray arrow might have sent Old Liu to his grave.
In Qin Tian's eyes, a fiery temper wasn't a fatal flaw.
But whether Liu Bei could now be as still as a maiden and swift as a startled hare, as he had been in Xinye, was crucial!
If he couldn't, then Old Liu hadn't yet completed his transformation into a true ambitious hero.
As he thought about it, an idea had already taken shape in his mind.
Meanwhile, Zhong Bo came out of the residence and apologized to Xu Shu.
"My lord is unwell today and cannot receive guests. Please forgive us."
Hearing this, Zhang Fei grumbled,
"This Qin Tian is too discourteous! My eldest brother came in person. Even if he's unwell, what harm is there in meeting him?"
"Hey, Yide, don't be rude!"
Liu Bei frowned at once.
"The gentleman didn't know we were coming. The fault is ours!"
Guan Yu stepped forward and said to Zhong Bo,
"Sorry for the trouble, old sir. Please report our arrival once more and say that Liu Bei, governor of Yu Province, General Who Pacifies the East, and Marquis of Yicheng, requests an audience!"
Liu Bei quickly stopped Guan Yu.
"If the gentleman is unwell, why should we use our titles to pressure him?"
As he spoke, he looked at Xu Shu and asked,
"Yuanzhi, can you be certain the gentleman lives here?"
"I'm certain it's this place."
Xu Shu looked at Zhong Bo and said calmly,
"Very well. Since Zixuan is unwell today, we'll visit him another time!"
He had already guessed what Qin Tian was thinking. He didn't point it out, but simply watched Liu Bei's reaction.
Hearing this, Liu Bei hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"It seems we have no choice."
He thought it over, then turned to the soldiers carrying gifts.
"Bring the gifts into the residence."
Then he said to Zhong Bo,
"Please tell the gentleman that Liu Bei heard of his reputation and came especially to pay his respects. I brought a modest gift, but since the gentleman is unwell, we can meet another day."
"These small gifts are merely a token of my regard. I hope he recovers soon, and I'll come pay my respects again."
Seeing this, Zhong Bo nodded in assent.
After everyone had left, he had a servant carry the gifts into the courtyard and reported Liu Bei and the others' reactions in detail.
Hearing this, Cai Yan's expression shifted.
"Lord Liu seems to be an honest and kind man!"
"Though he holds a high position, he doesn't use it to pressure others. He truly is a benevolent man!"
Cai Yao saw that Liu Bei had sent two bolts of purple cloth and quickly nodded.
"He does seem decent. Brother-in-law, why not meet him?"
Qin Tian nodded to himself as well.
Liu Bei's reaction spoke for itself. Zhang Fei was hot-tempered, but he could still be reasoned with. Guan Yu's conduct, meanwhile, was rather impressive. He was proud, certainly, but at least one could talk to him.
Thinking of this, Qin Tian turned and smiled at Cai Yan.
"I haven't left the house in days. The weather has cleared up lately. Would you like to go out and admire the plum blossoms in a few days?"
Their hearts were in accord. Cai Yan knew Qin Tian wanted to go out and meet Liu Bei, so she happily nodded.
"Then let's take Suier and Zhenji with us!"
Cai Yao muttered a few words but didn't answer. Little Suier clapped her hands in delight.
A few days later, the weather was clear. Early that morning, Qin Tian took his whole family out of the city.
It was only natural that news of Qin Tian's departure reached Liu Bei.
As soon as he heard that Qin Tian had recovered and left the city, Liu Bei set out with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Xu Shu, and the others, leading several dozen cavalrymen toward the outskirts.
They rode south of the city to the old site of Niesang, also known as Caisang. It was where the feudal lords had once met Zhang Yi, centuries ago, and the scenery was beautiful.
When Xu Shu saw Qin Tian leading his family up the mountain, he hurriedly rode over with a smile.
"Zixuan, where are you headed?"
Seeing Xu Shu catch up, Qin Tian's irritation flared.
"You! I treated you like a brother, and you turned around and sold me out?"
Xu Shu knew Qin Tian was displeased that he had recommended him without permission, so he smiled.
"It was my fault. I knew Zixuan didn't want to enter official service, so I had to force your hand!"
"Enough of that. Come meet my lord, Liu Bei!"
As they spoke, Liu Bei had already ridden up. He dismounted and stepped forward to bow to Qin Tian.
"It's not easy for you to brave the cold, sir. Yuanzhi acted out of public duty; please don't blame him!"
"Forgive my presumption. I've long heard of your great reputation, which has thundered through the land. A few days ago, I heard you were unwell, so I couldn't pay my respects."
"Now I hear you've recovered, and I've come especially to see you. I hope you'll enlighten me!"
Seeing this, Qin Tian gave an exasperated sigh and turned to Cai Yan.
"Please go on ahead, madam. Wait for me a little while."
Cai Yan nodded, then gave Liu Bei a graceful bow before leaving with Cai Yao and Suier.
Only after his family had gone did Qin Tian bow to Liu Bei.
"I'm just an idle man and my manners are lacking. I've made you come all this way, my lord. Please forgive me!"
Seeing Qin Tian's eight-foot height, sharp brows, bright eyes, crown-bound hair, and dashing bearing, Liu Bei couldn't help admiring his extraordinary appearance. He hurried forward.
"I was the discourteous one. What have you done wrong, sir?"
At his words, Qin Tian raised his head, finally getting a proper look at Liu Bei.
He had seen Liu Bei during the campaign against Dong Zhuo, but the two hadn't had a chance to meet. They had only caught a glimpse of one another from afar.
Today was their first formal meeting. Liu Bei's appearance wasn't as exaggerated as the histories claimed. His hands and earlobes were a little long, but his hands didn't reach past his knees, and his ears didn't hang down to his shoulders.
On the contrary, Liu Bei looked quite respectable and carried himself with great dignity.
After exchanging greetings, Qin Tian simply smiled.
"You said you wished to ask for my advice. May I ask what you want to know?"
Liu Bei answered without hesitation.
"I wish to ask about the great affairs of the realm!"
"I hope you'll dispel my doubts and offer your guidance without reservation!"
As he spoke, he bent deeply and bowed to Qin Tian.
Seeing this, Qin Tian clasped his hands behind his back and turned away.
"May I ask what your ambitions are, my lord?"
Before you continue