Xu Province Lords and Subjects, Lü Bu's Surprise

Xuzhou, Xiapi State.

Setting aside Liu Bei sharpening his weapons and feeding his horses in Xiaopei, let us turn our attention to Xuzhou.

Ever since Lu Bu seized Xuzhou, the situation had been a series of twists and turns, with the triangular entanglement between him, Liu Bei, and Yuan Shu needing no further elaboration.

Even within Lu Bu's own ranks, things were a tangled mess.

When Lu Bu had fled Chang'an years ago, he had only a few hundred cavalrymen in his train, possessing no core army of his own.

Later, upon heading to Henei, he received support from Zhang Yang and re-recruited the remnants of Ding Yuan's forces, gaining the backing of old Bingzhou generals like Hao Meng, which resulted in a motley collection of subordinates.

After finally managing to secure Xuzhou as a foundation, he should have taken the opportunity to recruit soldiers and horses to contend for the world.

However, this fellow Lu Bu was quite lecherous; he ignored the beautiful wives and concubines in his own household, preferring instead to dally with the wives of his generals.

The generals feared his martial prowess, and though they harbored grievances, they dared not speak out.

As a result, last year, due to the instigation of Yuan Shu, the generals led by Hao Meng launched a rebellion and sent troops to attack Xiapi.

Lu Bu, not knowing who had rebelled, fled to the camp of Gao Shun, only then managing to quell the uprising.

Yet, after this incident, Lu Bu developed a suspicious nature.

First, he stripped Gao Shun of his military command, handing the Trap-Breaking Battalion over to his cousin, Wei Xu, to lead.

Then, because Chen Gong was suspected of secretly communicating with Yuan Shu and participating in the rebellion, he grew increasingly distant from him.

As for those like Zhang Liao who had attached themselves to him, he trusted none of them.

Consequently, the current situation in Xuzhou was quite chaotic, held together solely by the might of Lu Bu.

However, Lu Bu had been feeling quite pleased with himself lately.

First, Old Cao had failed to achieve his goals in the campaign against Wan City, and in order to stabilize Lu Bu, he submitted a memorial to appoint Lu Bu as General Who Pacifies the East, sending imperial envoys to bestow the honor.

Later, after Yuan Shu declared himself emperor, he sent envoys once again to seek the hand of Lu Bu's daughter for his son.

The successive wooing and flattery from two great warlords left Lu Bu feeling smug and satisfied.

At this very moment, within the government office of Xiapi State.

Lu Bu, tall and burly, standing over a zhang in height, with a high-bridged nose, deep-set eyes, and tiger-like whiskers under his jaw, sat in the main seat wearing a ru robe.

Sitting below him was a middle-aged man with a stern expression.

He wore a green ru robe and an e-cap upon his head; though not tall, he possessed a dignified air.

This man was none other than Chen Gong, a strategist under Lu Bu.

He looked at Lu Bu and said with a solemn face:

"Marquis Wen, now that Yuan Shu has committed this act of usurpation, how can our army collude with him?"

"I implore the Lord to quickly send men to bring back the young lady; do not form this marriage alliance with Yuan Shu!"

"Otherwise, our army will surely be abandoned by all under heaven!"

But as Lu Bu listened to these words, he said with an impatient look:

"I have already agreed with Yuan Gonglu to form this marriage alliance. Now that he has sent envoys to finalize the wedding, how can I refuse?"

"If I refuse, I fear everyone under heaven will call me, Lu Bu, a man who breaks his word!"

"My mind is made up; Gongtai, say no more!"

Hearing Lu Bu's words, Chen Gong felt a dull ache in his heart, thinking to himself: Does a man like you, Lu Bu, still have any credibility to speak of?

It is gone; it was gone long ago!

Yet this fellow still felt quite good about himself.

If not for the fact that this was the path he had chosen, he truly would not want to be entangled with a man like Lu Bu.

"General, what are you saying? Yuan Shu is a usurper; if you turn against him, you follow the Great Righteousness. The people of the world will know this and only praise your virtue; how could they blame you?"

"On the contrary, if you marry into his family now, you will lose the name of Great Righteousness. I hope the General will see clearly!"

However, it would have been better if he hadn't said this, for as soon as he did, Lu Bu spoke with biting sarcasm:

"I fear it is not for Gongtai to say such things!"

"Was it not Gongtai who previously urged me to befriend Yuan Shu and facilitate this match? Why do you come to interfere today?"

"Could it be that you are now turning against Yuan Shu?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Gong's face flushed red, knowing that Lu Bu was mocking him for his previous suspected involvement in the rebellion.

But as for whether he had actually participated in the rebellion, did that even need to be said?

If he had truly participated in the rebellion, would Lu Bu still be alive?

However, he was not a man of quick wit or great eloquence, and for a moment, he did not know how to argue. Just as he was pondering a rebuttal, he saw a small soldier come to report:

"The Chancellor of Chen State requests an audience!"

The Chancellor of Chen State, whose given name was Chen Gui, was the father of Chen Deng. Because he had served as the Chancellor of Pei, he was also known as the Chancellor of Pei.

At a time when Chen Gong was increasingly falling out of favor, Chen Deng and his father were highly valued by Lu Bu.

Seeing Chen Gui arrive, Lu Bu smiled and said:

"Since the Chancellor of Pei has come, please, bring him in!"

Seeing Lu Bu change his demeanor so quickly, Chen Gong could not help but sigh inwardly.

In his view, Chen Gui and his son were only superficially aligned with Lu Bu; now that they had gained Lu Bu's trust, disaster would surely follow sooner or later!

Yet, no matter what he said now, Lu Bu would not believe him, leaving him only to watch from the sidelines.

Under the gaze of the two, a moment later, an old man was seen entering with the aid of a cane. Lu Bu hurriedly rose and said:

"Why has the Chancellor of Pei come?"

Do not let Lu Bu's lack of private virtue fool you; in truth, he was quite respectful toward scholars.

Seeing that Chen Gui was aged, he stood up to support him.

Chen Gui, however, was only in his sixties and had not yet reached the age of failing eyesight. Seeing this, he smiled and said:

"General, there is no need for such courtesy!"

"This old man has long since retired; please, do not address me as the Chancellor of Pei anymore!"

In the midst of his words, he noticed Chen Gong standing to the side and smiled:

"I did not expect Gongtai to be here as well. I have yet to pay my respects!"

Having said this, he bowed to Chen Gong.

Chen Gong saw this, glanced at Chen Gui, and raised his hand slightly, barely acknowledging the gesture.

Chen Gui smiled and said nothing, turning instead to address Lu Bu:

"I have come today for no major matter, but I heard that an envoy from Yuan Shu has arrived to take the General's daughter to Shouchun for their wedding. Is this true?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Bu grinned and said:

"That is indeed true. I only sent my daughter away this morning; I did not expect you to know of it so soon, sir!"

As he spoke, he recalled Chen Gong's earlier words and could not help but ask:

"Gongtai was just discussing this matter with me, and I was about to seek the Chancellor's counsel. I wonder what you think of this, sir?"

Hearing this, Chen Gui glanced at Chen Gong without changing his expression, then said to Lu Bu:

"This matter is not necessarily impossible!"

"However, Lord Cao now serves the Emperor and governs the state. His prestige covers the world, and he is about to campaign in all directions. He has even recommended you, General, as the General who Pacifies the East."

"You should conspire with Lord Cao to ensure the stability of Mount Tai!"

"If you form a marriage alliance with Yuan Shu now, you will bear the name of an unrighteous man. If the Imperial Court blames you, what will you do?"

This was the difference between Chen Gui and Chen Gong. When Chen Gong advised Lu Bu, he always started from the perspective of their own military development.

Chen Gui, however, started directly from the perspective of the Imperial Court, explaining the political repercussions.

If it were any other warlord, it might not have mattered, but Lu Bu was particularly susceptible to this. Once he heard about the Imperial Court's potential blame, he immediately hesitated:

"But Yuan Shu's envoy has already taken my daughter away. What is to be done?"

Hearing this, Chen Gui shook his head and smiled:

"They only departed this morning and cannot have gone far. You can send troops to pursue them, bring the envoy to the Imperial Court, and Lord Cao will surely not blame you!"

Lu Bu was indecisive for a moment, pacing back and forth.

Chen Gui added:

"General, you must know that Yuan Shu is a fickle man. If he gains your daughter today, he will surely use her as a hostage in the future!"

"If he asks for grain or troops and you agree, you will be exhausted by his demands. If you refuse, you will create a rift over your own kin."

Hearing this, Lu Bu stopped abruptly. Remembering how Yuan Shu had repeatedly made things difficult for him, he felt a surge of indignation:

"Bah! That Yuan Shu has deceived me! If not for your arrival, sir, I would have nearly let him succeed today!"

With that, he hurriedly stepped out and shouted:

"Someone, pass the order to Wei Xu! Lead the troops immediately to pursue Yuan Shu's envoy and ensure my daughter is brought back!"

As soon as the words fell, a soldier ran out to relay the command.

Seeing this, Chen Gong felt even more despondent. It was the same advice, so why did Lu Bu attribute the credit to Chen Gui?

Just as he was thinking this, a man walked in quickly and said:

"My Lord, a messenger from Liu Bei's army has arrived!"

Hearing this, Chen Gong suddenly looked up, and Lu Bu was also startled:

"A messenger from Liu Bei has come?"

Since arriving in Xuzhou, he had repeatedly sabotaged Liu Bei, leading to the current state where Liu Bei and Cao Cao were on good terms.

Logically speaking, he and Liu Bei should have been at odds until the end!

What kind of letter could Liu Bei possibly be sending now?

Even Chen Gui, upon hearing this, showed a look of surprise on his aged face.

This letter from Liu Bei had appeared truly suddenly!

At a time like this, what could Liu Bei possibly be writing about?