Liu Bei and the others had received their military punishments, and discipline in the camp grew even stricter.
The seasoned soldiers under Zhang Fei especially praised Liu Bei's virtue.
After several days, the army took on a completely new appearance, no longer as lax as it had once been.
Compared with all these benefits, the only downside was that Zhang Fei had taken thirty blows from the military cudgel and spent two days lying in bed.
As for Guan Yu and Liu Bei, the men carrying out the punishment hadn't dared strike too hard, so they hadn't suffered much harm.
After this incident, Zhang Fei reined himself in somewhat. He still didn't treat the soldiers well, but he was much kinder than before.
As for Xu Shu, the one who had set the whole thing in motion, he was naturally pleased with the outcome.
Some time passed, and before long, it was already March.
With spring returning to the land, Liu Bei grew increasingly impatient. He wanted nothing more than to persuade Qin Tian to leave seclusion and help him achieve great things.
So he chose an auspicious day and summoned Xu Shu from the camp to speak with him.
"It's nearly March, and spring plowing is about to begin. Yuan Shu is recruiting soldiers and extorting the people, while Cao Cao and Lu Bu remain inactive. If things continue like this, when will we be able to accomplish anything great?"
Seeing Liu Bei like this, Xu Shu smiled.
"My lord, why are you in such a hurry? You should know that Zixuan's predictions have always come true."
"He said Yuan Shu would fall, and Yuan Shu will bring about his own destruction!"
"There's no action now only because the time isn't right. Our army can build up its strength and wait for the right moment to act!"
Seeing that Xu Shu hadn't understood what he meant, Liu Bei could only sigh.
"Whether we succeed or fail is up to fate. But sir has been living quietly in the city for over a month now."
"Although we've benefited from his plans, we still don't know them in detail. If we could seek his advice again, it would surely help us!"
At last, Xu Shu understood what Liu Bei was getting at and couldn't help smiling.
"So my lord wants Zixuan's help!"
He thought for a moment, then continued.
"Half a month has passed since we last met. I imagine that even if Zixuan needed time to consider, he should have reached a decision by now."
"And the weather is clear today, so it's a good time to pay him a visit."
"No matter what, today we must get Zixuan to lend my lord a hand!"
Seeing that Xu Shu had finally grasped his meaning, Liu Bei brightened and hurriedly rose to his feet.
"In that case, let me call my second and third brothers!"
But as soon as he stood, Xu Shu smiled.
"My lord, there's no need to make such a fuss!"
"Zixuan has always preferred peace and quiet. If the two generals go along, they may only upset him."
"Just come with me, and I'll make sure you get to see him!"
Liu Bei readily agreed. He took a few guards and followed Xu Shu toward Qin Tian's courtyard.
When they reached the gate and knocked, a young servant opened it and asked:
"Who's there?"
When he poked his head out, he saw Xu Shu, Liu Bei, and the others standing outside.
The servant knew Xu Shu and hurriedly smiled.
"Where have you come from, Mr. Xu?"
"Where I've come from isn't important," Xu Shu replied amiably.
"The important thing is, is your master at home? And what is he doing?"
The servant hurriedly answered:
"Sir, the master is in his study, writing a book!"
"If you wish to see him, please allow me to announce you!"
"There's no need to announce us!"
Xu Shu turned back with a smile.
"It's rare for Zixuan not to be spending time with his family today. My lord, come with me!"
With that, he strode straight into the courtyard.
Liu Bei hurriedly apologized to the servant, then told the guards to wait outside before following Xu Shu in.
Once they were inside Qin Tian's home, Liu Bei said uneasily:
"They say one shouldn't enter without an invitation. Yuanzhi, if you do this, sir may be displeased."
Seeing how cautious Liu Bei was, Xu Shu smiled.
"My lord, there's no need to worry. Zixuan and I have always lived next door to each other."
"He doesn't care for empty formalities either. When he comes to my home, he doesn't announce himself."
"If he weren't home, we couldn't enter. But he is home now, so what's there to fear?"
"Besides, this fellow has always been lazy. If we let someone announce us, he'll surely come up with all sorts of excuses!"
"Since I've brought my lord here today, I'm going to drag him along!"
"My lord, just wait here and watch me handle it!"
Seeing Xu Shu's confidence, Liu Bei felt reassured. But hearing him describe another side of Qin Tian made him curious, and he couldn't help asking:
"I heard the servant say that sir is writing a book in his study. What kind of book is he writing?"
At Liu Bei's question, Xu Shu grinned.
"Zixuan has written all sorts of books! Astronomy, geography, military strategy, formations, poetry, history, rites, and music—there's nothing he hasn't written about!"
As he spoke, he shook his head with a smile.
"I don't know where that fellow learned so much."
"Just his Theory of Evolution and Physics are profound and unfathomable. Even reading a little of them has been immensely enlightening!"
Liu Bei grew even more fascinated.
"Sir truly is a heaven-gifted genius. If I can persuade him to leave seclusion, I'll be sure to study his great works carefully!"
In this era, there were many who wrote books and established doctrines, but few like Qin Tian, who had founded entire schools of thought.
This showed that Qin Tian's ability was no mere flash of cleverness. He possessed a vast wisdom, learned in the past and present, and able to embrace every school of thought.
As they spoke, the two arrived outside a study. Xu Shu smiled at Liu Bei.
"My lord, wait here for a moment while I go in and talk to him!"
With that, he walked toward the study with his hands behind his back. Peeking inside, he saw Qin Tian sitting upright at his desk, holding a writing brush as he wrote something on a bamboo slip.
Seeing this, Xu Shu entered the study with his hands clasped behind his back and said with a leisurely smile:
"Zixuan, you certainly have it easy. You spend all day at home writing books for pleasure, unlike us, who are battered by the wind and sun in camp and can never find a moment's peace!"
At Xu Shu's words, Qin Tian's brush paused. He slowly raised his head and smiled.
"I was wondering who was whispering outside. I didn't expect it to be Xu Yuanzhi."
"Why have you been coming to my home every day instead of doing your proper work as an official?"
"And just now you were conspiring outside the gate. Don't tell me you've come to steal a chicken or two from my home?"
"You rascal, Qin Zixuan! What a sharp tongue!"
Xu Shu laughed despite himself.
"I came to visit you out of kindness. Why greet me with such harsh words?"
"Because someone didn't keep his word!"
Qin Tian set his brush down on the inkstone and looked straight at Xu Shu.
"You promised to come apologize with a bramble on your back. How many days has it been? Where have you been, and where's the bramble?"
Seeing that Qin Tian still remembered, Xu Shu could only smile wryly.
"The affairs of the army have kept me too busy to visit!"
"Very well. Since we've crossed paths today, I'll apologize now!"
As he spoke, he spotted a broom behind him and picked it up.
"I'll use this to apologize. Zixuan, you can hit me as you please!"
He walked up to the desk, handed Qin Tian the broom, and lowered his head.
Qin Tian smiled, took the broom, and said:
"Come a little closer. It'll be easier to hit you."
Xu Shu gritted his teeth and stepped forward again.
Qin Tian raised the broom and was about to bring it down when Xu Shu hurriedly said:
"Wait, Zixuan!"
"What is it? Have you changed your mind, Yuanzhi?"
Qin Tian looked at Xu Shu with a knowing smile.
Xu Shu shook his head.
"A gentleman's word is as good as a team of horses. How could I go back on it?"
"But since I've kept my word, will you keep yours?"
"Zixuan, you clearly promised that you'd consider serving my lord for a few days. Half a month has passed, yet you haven't said a word. What's the reason?"
"Do you know my lord is so worried he's beside himself and can't sleep through the night?"
Faced with Xu Shu's question, the smile gradually faded from Qin Tian's face. He slowly lowered the broom and fell silent for a long while before speaking.
"If you put it that way, Yuanzhi, my lord must be outside."
"Why not invite him in?"
Hearing this from outside, Liu Bei's face lit up. He hurried into the study and cupped his hands toward Qin Tian.
"I knew I couldn't hide from you, sir. I'm here."
"After hearing your words that day, I felt as if a bolt had been lifted from my mind. I wished I could come visit you every day!"
"Alas, the affairs of the army are complicated, and I haven't had the leisure."
"Today, at last, I found some free time, so I invited Yuanzhi to come with me and pay you a visit."
"I hope you won't reject my dullness, sir. If you would come out of seclusion to help me, opening my eyes to my folly and rescuing me from hardship, it would be the greatest blessing!"
With that, he bowed deeply and paid Qin Tian another grand salute.
Seeing Liu Bei like this, Qin Tian could only sigh. When it came to enthusiasm, Old Liu truly burned like a raging fire, making him hard to refuse.
After thinking for a moment, he stepped forward and helped Liu Bei up.
"What virtue or ability does Tian possess to deserve your repeated invitations, my lord? Since you don't reject me, I'm willing to serve you to the best of my ability!"
At once, Liu Bei's eyes welled with tears of joy. He hurriedly took Qin Tian's hands.
"With sir's help, our army's great plans can be achieved!"
Old Liu had wandered for more than a decade, and now, at last, he had found his first true strategist!
His joy was beyond words.
He immediately held on to Qin Tian's hands and refused to let go.
"Now that sir has left seclusion, it is my great fortune. I wish to appoint you as my military strategist. Would you be willing to accept?"
Xu Shu smiled as well.
"Our army's duties as military strategist are more than suited to Zixuan alone. I hope you won't refuse."
Seeing the two men's expressions, Qin Tian shook his head.
"Wait, both of you. If I become the military strategist, it will do our army more harm than good!"
"Even if I take the position, I'll have to do so under an assumed name!"
The two were stunned. Liu Bei hurriedly asked:
"What do you mean, sir? Why would your taking the position of military strategist do more harm than good?"
Xu Shu thought for a moment, then frowned.
"Zixuan, are you afraid of Cao Mengde?"
At Liu Bei's words, he immediately understood. Qin Tian had once been Cao Cao's chief strategist. Though he had resigned and left, Cao Cao had not yet given up on him.
If Cao Cao learned that Qin Tian was serving under him, Old Cao might really send troops to snatch Qin Tian back!
And not just Cao Cao—even Yuan Shu and Lu Bu might be unable to sit still if they heard Qin Tian had joined his side.
Thinking of this, he sighed.
"It's my fault for being incapable. Even with your help, I can't let the world know your name."
But Qin Tian smiled again.
"You're both mistaken. I need to use an assumed name because our army is about to snatch chestnuts from the fire!"
"If I emerge openly, we'll never succeed. Only by concealing my identity can I turn others' strength against them and achieve great things!"
At Qin Tian's words, Liu Bei's expression changed. He quickly cupped his hands and asked:
"Please explain, sir. What do you mean by snatching chestnuts from the fire? I'm all ears!"
Xu Shu looked at Qin Tian too, clearly curious about what he meant by snatching chestnuts from the fire.
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