Seeing the two of them like this, Qin Tian smiled and said:
"'Taking chestnuts from the fire' is a saying from my hometown."
"There was once an ape and a weasel who were close friends. They saw chestnuts in a fire and wanted to eat them."
"The ape said to the weasel, 'We want to eat those chestnuts, but the fire is too big. We can't get them. You're naturally nimble, brother. You can fetch them.'"
"The weasel wanted to show off its skill, so it reached in with its paw to grab a chestnut. After testing the flames several times, it finally managed to pull one out."
"The ape seized the chance to pick it up and praised the weasel. Believing the ape, the weasel reached in several more times. Its paws were scorched bare, but every chestnut went into the ape's mouth!"
"That's the origin of the saying 'taking chestnuts from the fire'!"
After hearing the story, Liu Bei seemed to ponder it and said:
"This is a clever tale indeed. As you tell it, the ape's actions were rather unjust. The weasel suffered for nothing and never got to eat a chestnut—it brought the trouble on itself. The two were friends, and in their own way, they made quite the pair!"
Xu Shu, however, smiled faintly and said:
"My lord, this story Zixuan has told us describes the present situation perfectly!"
"By Zixuan's account, Yuan Shu is the chestnuts in the fire!"
"If our army wants those chestnuts, we must play the ape. Only then can we eat our fill!"
As he spoke, he turned to Qin Tian and asked:
"Zixuan, is that what you mean?"
"Exactly. If our army wants to take Huainan, it will be like taking chestnuts from the fire!"
Qin Tian nodded, then turned to Liu Bei and said:
"My lord, don't think the ape is despicable."
"Remember, the tide of the world surges on and on; all come for profit, and all go for profit."
"Now the heroes of the eastern lands stand divided. If we wish to restore the Han Dynasty, every one of them is our enemy."
"So this plan of taking chestnuts from the fire means borrowing the enemy's strength to lay the foundation for our own enterprise. Without it, our army will struggle to take all of Huainan!"
Seeing this, Liu Bei shook his head with a smile and said:
"Don't worry, sir. After hearing your admonition that day, I came to understand what righteousness means."
"If it's for the sake of all the people under heaven, what is there for me to worry about?"
To be honest, compared with Old Cao, Liu Bei was always growing.
Cao Cao was the archetypal protagonist who started at the top. He had been maxed out from the moment he appeared.
Whether in military strategy or political intrigue, he was among the best of the late Han.
By comparison, Liu Bei had grown steadily ever since raising his army. From a commoner with no rank, he had endured warfare and political schemes, making his way to where he stood today.
At almost every moment, he was absorbing the experience a warlord needed.
In particular, his meeting with Qin Tian half a month earlier had suddenly awakened him. The reason he had wandered for so long was that he had never understood his ultimate purpose.
Now that he did, his resolve had grown ever firmer!
Taking advantage of the moment, he asked:
"If Yuan Shu is the chestnuts and our army is the ape, then who can play the weasel?"
At the mention of the weasel, Qin Tian smiled languidly and said:
"Cao Cao, Lu Bu, and Sun Ce could all play the weasel!"
"What matters most for our army now is to wait for the right moment, then act in accordance with the situation!"
"Yuan Shu has just proclaimed himself emperor and is recruiting troops and horses, preparing to wage war on every side."
"Our army's advantage is that we hold only a tiny patch of land, and we lack both troops and food. Yuan Shu will surely pay us no mind."
"So Yuan Shu's next target will certainly be one of these three: Cao Cao, Lu Bu, or Sun Ce!"
"Our task is to ally with one of them and take part in the campaigns against Yuan Shu. That way, we can capture cities and territory, gradually expanding our advantage!"
"That is also why I can't take up the post of military adviser under my real name!"
"Though I have little talent, I do have a modest reputation. If I take the post as military adviser, it will surely ruin the greater plan!"
"Thus, only by taking up the post under a false name can I help you achieve your aims, my lord!"
"I see. You've considered everything so thoroughly. I truly can't compare!"
After hearing the whole explanation, Liu Bei couldn't help but admire how carefully Qin Tian had thought things through. He hadn't even entered public service yet, but had already considered the consequences down the road.
That only made Liu Bei more delighted.
Qin Tian had even taken this small detail into account. Clearly, he already had a comprehensive plan for taking Huainan!
The more Liu Bei thought about it, the more dependable Qin Tian seemed. He couldn't help asking:
"But what false name do you intend to use, sir? Once we return, I can introduce you under it."
Faced with Old Liu's question, Qin Tian didn't answer. Instead, he looked at Xu Shu and asked:
"Before choosing a false name, I need to clarify one thing. How many people in the army know I'm here?"
Xu Shu glanced at Liu Bei before replying:
"Since Zixuan hasn't entered public service yet, for his safety, only Jian Xianhe and the two generals know about him in our army!"
"That's good. There's still time to take a false name!"
Qin Tian nodded. After a moment's thought, he said:
"Then I'll take the name Wang He, Ziye!"
"Be sure to tell the two generals and Jian Xianhe first. Don't let word get out!"
"Otherwise, our plans won't succeed!"
Liu Bei hurriedly agreed:
"That's easy. I'll send someone to inform my second and third brothers!"
Before he could finish, Xu Shu laughed and said:
"My lord, why the rush?"
"Even if we're to inform them, we should wait until he's taken up the post!"
Looking at Qin Tian with a teasing smile, he said:
"Since there's still plenty of time today, why don't the military adviser and I return to the county office with you? We can make arrangements for the important matters there!"
Liu Bei caught on as well and quickly said to Qin Tian:
"Exactly. Why not return to the county office with me? I'll prepare a modest banquet to welcome you."
Seeing how deferential Liu Bei still was, Qin Tian smiled and said:
"My lord, there's no need for that. Though I'll be your military adviser, I'm still young. Just call me Zixuan; there's no need to address me as 'sir.'"
Hearing this, Liu Bei was overjoyed. Qin Tian was clearly set on joining him and had no intention of backing out. He immediately took Qin Tian by the hand and said:
"I'm happy to do as you ask, Zixuan. But you have great talent, so I'll treat you with the courtesy due a teacher, to show you how sincere I am."
Seeing the two of them like this, Xu Shu couldn't help laughing.
"Since Zixuan has made up his mind, we should return to the county office first, lest we be late and delay important matters!"
He had barely finished speaking, and before Liu Bei could respond, Qin Tian said:
"My lord, wait a moment. There's still one thing to settle before we go to the county office. Let me give this Xu Yuanzhi a good beating first, then we can leave!"
With that, he slipped his hand free and went to look for a broom. He really did want to beat Xu Shu.
After all, if not for this fellow, he could have rested a while longer.
But now? The man was practically shoving him onto the job, hurrying him to start work at once. Truly hateful!
Seeing this, Xu Shu hurriedly raised a hand and said:
"Zixuan, hold on. If you're going to beat me, you'll need thorny branches. Put that down for now, and let me fetch some!"
As he spoke, he hurried out of the room.
"Yuanzhi, don't bother. This will do!"
Seeing the man trying to run, Qin Tian chased after him with the broom.
Watching the two of them fool around, Liu Bei sat there, grinning from ear to ear.
He knew the two were close and would never truly fight.
Now he had Xu Shu, and Qin Tian as well. His good fortune was complete.
These two young men before him were the key to his great undertaking!
His laughter rang out heartily, half with joy and half with triumph. The meaning behind it was plain for all to see.
After the two had tussled for a while, they finally settled down.
Everyone headed out together.
Before leaving, Qin Tian called Zhong Bo over and said:
"Go let Zhaoji know I won't be home for dinner tonight!"
After giving the order, he left the residence and made his way toward the county office.
But before they reached it, a scholar hurried out. Liu Bei saw him and quickly stopped him:
"Xianhe, where are you going?"
The man was none other than Jian Yong.
As soon as he saw Liu Bei, he panted:
"My lord, you've come at just the right time. I was about to look for you!"
"Something terrible has happened. We just received word that Yuan Shu has sent Han Yin as his envoy to form an alliance with Lu Bu. The two families have agreed to a marriage between their children."
"The envoy has already arrived in Xuzhou to claim Lu Bu's daughter as a bride!"
"If Yuan Shu and Lu Bu form an alliance, what should our army do?"
Hearing this, Liu Bei's brows furrowed sharply, and he looked toward Qin Tian. Xu Shu's expression changed as well.
They wanted to take Huainan, and Lu Bu was a major ally.
But if Lu Bu allied with Yuan Shu, they would have a serious problem.
Yet Qin Tian remained entirely calm in the two men's gaze. He only smiled and said:
"What was bound to come has finally arrived!"
This was exactly one of the plans he had prepared.
The timing was perfect!
Before you continue