To Be a Strategist, Plucking Chestnuts from the Fire

After Liu Bei and the others received their military floggings, the discipline within the army became increasingly strict.

The soldiers under Zhang Fei's command, in particular, all praised the virtue of Liu Bei.

After a few days, the appearance of the army had taken on a brand-new look, with no trace of the laxity seen in the past.

Compared to these many benefits, the only drawback was that Zhang Fei had received thirty strokes and was confined to his bed for two days.

As for Guan Yu and Liu Bei, the executioners dared not strike too heavily, so they did not suffer much injury.

Through this incident, Zhang Fei also restrained himself somewhat; although he did not treat the soldiers with kindness, he was already much gentler than before.

As for the instigator of this matter, Xu Shu, he was naturally pleased to see such a result.

Time passed in this manner, and in the blink of an eye, it was the third month.

Seeing spring return to the earth, Liu Bei could no longer suppress his impatience, wishing only to quickly persuade Qin Tian to leave his seclusion and assist him in achieving great things.

Thus, he chose an auspicious day and summoned Xu Shu from the army to ask him:

"Now that it is nearly the third month and spring plowing is approaching, Yuan Shu is recruiting troops and horses while levying heavy taxes, yet Cao Cao and Lu Bu have made no moves. If things continue like this, when can we plan for great things?"

Seeing Liu Bei in such a state, Xu Shu smiled slightly and said:

"Why is my lord so anxious? You must know that Zixuan's plans have always been unerring."

"He said Yuan Shu would perish, and Yuan Shu will surely bring about his own destruction!"

"The reason there is no movement now is simply because the time has not yet arrived. Our army can cultivate our strength and wait for the right moment to act!"

Seeing that Xu Shu had not grasped his true meaning, Liu Bei could only sigh:

"Whether a matter succeeds or not depends on fate, but the gentleman has now been living in leisure within the city for over a month."

"Although I have received the gentleman's plans, I do not know the details. If I could go and seek his advice once more, it would surely be of great benefit!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Shu finally understood the implication behind Liu Bei's words and could not help but laugh:

"So, my lord wishes to seek Zixuan's assistance!"

He thought for a moment and added:

"Half a month has passed since that day; I expect that even if Zixuan were considering it, he should have reached a decision by now."

"It happens to be a clear day, which is perfect for a visit."

"Today, no matter what, we must have Zixuan lend my lord a helping hand!"

Seeing that Xu Shu finally understood his intentions, Liu Bei was overjoyed and hurriedly stood up, saying:

"In that case, let me go and call my second and third brothers!"

But just as he rose, Xu Shu smiled and said:

"My lord must not make such a great commotion!"

"Zixuan has always preferred peace and quiet; if the two generals go, it might instead cause him displeasure."

"My lord need only accompany me, and I guarantee we shall see Zixuan!"

Hearing this, Liu Bei naturally followed the good advice, taking a few guards to follow Xu Shu toward Qin Tian's small courtyard.

Upon arriving at the gate and knocking, a servant opened it and asked:

"Who is knocking?"

When he poked his head out, he saw Xu Shu, Liu Bei, and the others standing outside.

The servant naturally recognized Xu Shu and hurriedly smiled:

"From where does Master Xu come?"

"Where I come from is not important!"

Xu Shu said with a kind smile:

"The key is, is your master at home? And what is he doing?"

The servant hurriedly replied:

"Replying to the master, my lord is currently in the study writing a book!"

"If you wish to see him, please allow me to announce your arrival!"

"No need to announce us!"

Seeing this, Xu Shu turned back with a smile:

"It is rare that Zixuan is not accompanying his family today. My lord, follow me!"

Having said this, he walked straight into the courtyard.

Seeing this, Liu Bei hurriedly apologized to the servant and ordered his guards to wait outside the gate before following Xu Shu into the courtyard.

Once the two entered Qin Tian's home, Liu Bei said with trepidation:

"There is a saying: do not enter without an invitation. With Yuanzhi acting like this, I fear the gentleman may become displeased!"

Seeing Liu Bei so cautious and timid, Xu Shu laughed:

"My Lord, there is no need for such concern; Zixuan and I have always lived as neighbors."

"He dislikes empty formalities, and never sends word when he visits my home!"

"If he were not at home, we would naturally be unable to enter, but since he is in, what is there to fear!"

"Furthermore, this lad has always been lazy; if we were to send word ahead, he would surely conjure up a multitude of excuses!"

"Since I have brought you here today, I am determined to drag him out!"

"Just wait here for a moment, My Lord, and watch how I handle this!"

Liu Bei watched Xu Shu's confident demeanor and felt a sense of relief. Hearing him speak of another side of Qin Tian, he was filled with curiosity and could not help but ask:

"I just heard you mention that he is writing books in his study. May I ask what he is writing?"

Seeing Liu Bei's inquiry, Xu Shu grinned and said:

"Zixuan writes about many things! Astronomy, geography, military formations, poetry, and music—there is nothing he does not touch upon!"

As he spoke, he shook his head with a smile:

"I truly do not know where the lad learned all this knowledge."

"The Theory of Evolution and Physics alone are profound and unfathomable. Even reading just a little of them makes one feel greatly enlightened!"

Hearing this, Liu Bei became even more fascinated and said:

"He is truly a heaven-sent talent. If I can truly invite him to join my cause, I shall certainly study his great works thoroughly in the future!"

In this era, there are many who write books and establish theories, but few like Qin Tian who create entirely new schools of thought.

From this, it is clear that Qin Tian's talent is not merely a flash of cleverness, but a profound wisdom that spans the ancient and modern, encompassing all things.

Thinking thus, the two arrived before a study, and Xu Shu smiled at Liu Bei:

"My Lord, please wait here for a moment while I go in and have a word with him!"

With that, he walked toward the study with his hands behind his back. Peering inside, he saw Qin Tian sitting upright at his desk, posture straight, holding a brush and writing something on bamboo slips.

Seeing this, Xu Shu stepped into the study with his hands clasped behind his back and said with a leisurely smile:

"Zixuan is quite at leisure, spending his days writing for pleasure, unlike us who are out in the camp, exposed to the wind and sun, never finding a moment of peace!"

Hearing Xu Shu's words, Qin Tian's brush paused. He slowly raised his head, the corners of his mouth curling up as he said:

"I was wondering who was whispering outside; I did not expect it to be Xu Yuanzhi."

"Tell me, what is the meaning of you, a perfectly good official, wandering over to my house all day long?"

"And whispering outside the door just now—could it be that you are here to pilfer, hoping to snatch a chicken or two from my yard?"

"You and that sharp tongue of yours, Qin Zixuan!"

Xu Shu laughed in spite of himself:

"I came with good intentions to visit you, so why the malicious words?"

"Only because someone has failed to keep his word!"

Qin Tian set his brush on the inkstone and fixed his gaze on Xu Shu:

"You promised to come and carry thorns to beg for forgiveness, yet how many days have passed? Where have you been? And where are the thorns?"

Seeing that Qin Tian still remembered that matter, Xu Shu smiled bitterly:

"It is because the military affairs were pressing; I had no time to call!"

"Very well, since it is a coincidence that I am here today, I shall beg for your forgiveness now!"

As he spoke, he saw a broom behind him, picked it up, and said:

"Let this be the instrument of my apology. Strike me as you please, Zixuan!"

He walked a few steps to the desk, handed the broom to Qin Tian, and lowered his head.

Qin Tian saw this, a hint of a smile appearing as he took the broom and said:

"Come closer, so I may strike you properly!"

Hearing this, Xu Shu gritted his teeth and took another step forward.

Just as Qin Tian raised the broom and was about to bring it down, Xu Shu hurriedly said:

"Wait, Zixuan!"

"What? Does Yuanzhi wish to go back on his word?"

Qin Tian looked at Xu Shu with a half-smile.

Xu Shu shook his head:

"A gentleman's word is as firm as a team of four horses; how could I go back on it?"

"However, since I am keeping my word, I wonder if Zixuan is willing to keep his?"

"That day, you clearly promised my Lord that you would consider serving him after a few days. Now that half a month has passed, why have you remained silent? What is the reason for this?"

"Do you know that my Lord has been waiting in such agony that he cannot sleep through the night?"

Facing Xu Shu's retort, the smile on Qin Tian's face gradually faded, and he slowly set down the broom in his hand, only speaking after a long moment of contemplation:

"If Yuanzhi puts it that way, then the Envoy must be right outside the door!"

"Why not invite him in to meet?"

Hearing this from outside the room, Liu Bei's face lit up with joy. He hurriedly stepped into the study and bowed to Qin Tian with cupped hands:

"I knew I could not hide from you, Sir. I am indeed here!"

"Ever since I heard your words that day, I felt as if my mind had been cleared of all obstructions; I have longed to visit you every single day!"

"It is a pity that military affairs are so complex, leaving me no leisure time."

"It is only because I found a moment of respite today that I invited Yuanzhi to accompany me to pay you a visit."

"I hope you will not despise my dullness and will emerge from seclusion to assist me. If you would deign to enlighten my ignorance and rescue me from these straits, it would be my greatest fortune!"

Having said this, he bowed his head in gratitude and performed another deep, formal salute to Qin Tian.

Seeing Liu Bei act in such a manner, Qin Tian could only sigh. When it came to enthusiasm, Old Liu was truly as fervent as fire, making it difficult for anyone to refuse him.

After thinking for a moment, he stepped forward to help Liu Bei up and said:

"What virtue or talent do I possess to deserve such repeated invitations from the Envoy? Since the Envoy does not abandon me, I am willing to offer my humble services!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei was moved to tears of joy. He hurriedly grasped Qin Tian's hands and said:

"With your assistance, Sir, the great cause of our army can be achieved!"

Thinking of how he, Old Liu, had drifted for over a decade, he had finally, at this very moment, secured his first true strategist!

The joy in his heart was naturally beyond words.

He immediately held onto Qin Tian and would not let go, saying:

"Your emergence from seclusion today is my greatest fortune. I wish to appoint you as my Military Advisor; would you be willing to accept this post?"

Seeing this, Xu Shu also smiled and said:

"The responsibility of Military Advisor in our army is one that only Zixuan can shoulder. I hope you will not decline, Zixuan."

Seeing the expressions of the two men, Qin Tian shook his head and said:

"Wait a moment, you two. If I were to serve as Military Advisor, it would do our army more harm than good!"

"Even if I am to serve, I must do so under an alias!"

Hearing this, both men were stunned. Liu Bei hurriedly asked:

"What do you mean, Sir? Why would your appointment as Military Advisor be harmful rather than beneficial?"

Xu Shu thought for a moment, frowning as he asked:

"Zixuan, are you perhaps afraid of Cao Mengde?"

Liu Bei suddenly remembered that Qin Tian had originally been a strategist for Cao Cao. Although he had resigned and left, Cao Cao had not yet given up.

If Cao Cao were to find out that Qin Tian was under his command, Old Cao might truly be capable of mobilizing his troops to snatch Qin Tian back!

Not to mention Cao Cao, even Yuan Shu or Lu Bu would likely be unable to sit still if they heard that Qin Tian had joined his ranks.

Thinking of this, he sighed slightly and said:

"It is all my own incompetence. Even with your help, Sir, I cannot openly proclaim your name!"

Yet, seeing this, Qin Tian smiled again:

"You are both mistaken. The reason I must use an alias is that our army is about to engage in the act of pulling chestnuts from the fire!"

"If I emerge openly, we will surely fail. Only by using an alias can we use the strength of others to strike, and thereby achieve great things!"

Hearing these words from Qin Tian, Liu Bei's expression shifted. He immediately bowed and asked:

"I pray you, Sir, explain in detail. What is this 'pulling chestnuts from the fire'? I am all ears!"

Hearing this, Xu Shu also looked toward Qin Tian, clearly just as curious about the meaning of this phrase.