Xuzhou, Xiapi.
Leaving aside Liu Bei, who was drilling his troops and preparing for war in Xiaopei, let us turn to Xuzhou.
Ever since Lu Bu seized Xuzhou, things had been a series of twists and turns. There was no need to mention the tangled triangle between him, Liu Bei, and Yuan Shu.
Even within Lu Bu's own ranks, things were a complete mess.
When Lu Bu fled Chang'an all those years ago, only a few hundred cavalrymen followed him. He had no troops of his own.
Later, he went to Henei and received aid from Zhang Yang. He recruited Ding Yuan's former troops and won the support of old Bing Province generals like Hao Meng, so his followers were a motley crew.
After finally securing Xuzhou as his base, he should have taken advantage of the opportunity to recruit troops and strive for supremacy.
But Lu Bu was a lecher. He had lovely wives and concubines at home, yet preferred to sneak around with his generals' wives.
The generals feared his valor. Though they harbored grievances, they dared not say much.
As a result, last year, after Yuan Shu provoked them, a group of generals led by Hao Meng rebelled and sent troops to attack Xiapi.
Lu Bu had no idea who had rebelled. He fled to Gao Shun's camp, and only then was the rebellion quelled.
After that incident, however, Lu Bu became suspicious of everyone.
First, he stripped Gao Shun of his military authority and handed the Trap-Breaking Battalion over to his cousin Wei Xu.
Then, because Chen Gong was suspected of secretly colluding with Yuan Shu and taking part in the rebellion, Lu Bu grew even more distant from him.
As for dependents like Zhang Liao, he naturally trusted none of them.
As a result, Xuzhou was now in considerable disarray, held together entirely by Lu Bu's might.
Still, Lu Bu had been enjoying a smooth run of late.
First, Old Cao's campaign against Wan City had failed to achieve complete success. To keep Lu Bu on his side, Cao Cao petitioned the court to appoint him General Who Pacifies the East and sent an imperial envoy to confer the title.
Then, after Yuan Shu declared himself emperor, he sent another envoy to ask for Lu Bu's daughter's hand in marriage for his son.
The flattery and entreaties of two great warlords in succession had left Lu Bu feeling rather pleased with himself.
At that moment, in the government hall of Xiapi State.
Lu Bu sat in the seat of honor. He was tall and powerfully built, well over eight feet in height, with a high-bridged nose, deep-set eyes, and a bristling beard beneath his chin. He wore a scholar's robe.
Below him sat a stern-looking, middle-aged man.
He wore a blue scholar's robe and a tall official's hat. Though not tall, he carried himself with authority.
This man was Chen Gong, Lu Bu's strategist.
He looked at Lu Bu and said solemnly:
"Marquis Wen, Yuan Shu has committed this act of usurpation. How can our army collude with him?"
"I urge you to send someone at once to bring your daughter back. Do not let her marry into Yuan Shu's family!"
"Otherwise, our army will be rejected by all under Heaven!"
Hearing this, Lu Bu looked impatient.
"I agreed long ago with Yuan Gonglu that our children would marry. Now he has sent an envoy to arrange the wedding. How can I refuse?"
"If I refuse, people under Heaven will surely call me, Lu Bu, a man who breaks his word!"
"My mind is made up. Gongtai, say no more!"
At Lu Bu's words, Chen Gong inwardly winced. Does Lu Bu really think he still has any credibility?
He had none. He had lost it long ago!
And yet the man still thought highly of himself.
If Chen Gong hadn't chosen this path himself, he truly wouldn't have wanted to be entangled with Lu Bu.
"General, how can you say that? Yuan Shu has usurped the throne. If you turn against him, you will be acting in accordance with righteousness. People under Heaven will know this and praise your virtue. How could they condemn you?"
"On the contrary, if you marry into Yuan Shu's family now, you will lose the name of righteousness. I urge you to consider this carefully, General!"
But if Chen Gong had kept quiet, all would have been well. The moment he said this, Lu Bu replied with mockery:
"This is hardly something for Gongtai to say!"
"Wasn't it you who urged me to befriend Yuan Shu and arranged this marriage? Why are you meddling in it now?"
"Have you decided to turn against Yuan Shu?"
Chen Gong's face flushed red. He knew Lu Bu was mocking him over the earlier rebellion, in which he had been suspected of taking part.
But did he really need to explain whether he had joined the rebellion?
If he had truly taken part, would Lu Bu still be alive?
But Chen Gong was neither quick-witted nor eloquent. For a moment, he could think of no way to defend himself. Just as he was searching for words, a soldier came in to report:
"The Chancellor of Pei requests an audience!"
The Chancellor of Pei was Chen Gui, father of Chen Deng. He had been known as the Chancellor of Pei because he had served as Chancellor of Pei Commandery.
Now that Chen Gong was gradually falling out of favor, Chen Gui and his son were highly regarded by Lu Bu.
Seeing Chen Gui's arrival, Lu Bu smiled.
"Since the Chancellor of Pei is here, invite him in!"
Seeing how quickly Lu Bu's attitude had changed, Chen Gong couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
In his view, Chen Gui and his son were only outwardly in accord with Lu Bu. Now that they had Lu Bu's trust, they would sooner or later bring disaster.
But Lu Bu no longer believed anything he said, so all Chen Gong could do was watch from the side.
As the two watched, an old man entered, leaning on a cane. Lu Bu hurried to his feet.
"What brings the Chancellor of Pei here?"
Though Lu Bu's personal conduct was flawed, he treated scholars well enough.
Seeing that Chen Gui was elderly, he rose to help him.
But Chen Gui was only in his sixties, not yet so old that his eyes were dim. Seeing Lu Bu's gesture, he smiled.
"General, there's no need for such courtesy!"
"I retired from office long ago. Please don't call me the Chancellor of Pei anymore!"
As he spoke, he noticed Chen Gong at the side and smiled.
"I didn't expect Gongtai to be here as well. I haven't yet paid my respects!"
With that, he bowed to Chen Gong.
Chen Gong glanced at Chen Gui and raised a hand slightly in response, just enough to be polite.
Chen Gui smiled without comment, then turned back to Lu Bu.
"I haven't come for anything important today. I heard Yuan Shu had sent an envoy to escort your daughter to Shouchun for her wedding. Is that true?"
At this, Lu Bu grinned.
"It is. I sent my daughter off this morning. I didn't expect you to hear about it so soon!"
As he spoke, he recalled what Chen Gong had just said and asked:
"Gongtai was just discussing this with me. I was about to ask the Chancellor of Pei to come and consult with me. What do you think of the matter?"
Chen Gui glanced at Chen Gong without revealing his thoughts, then answered Lu Bu.
"There's nothing wrong with this matter in itself."
"However, Lord Cao now welcomes the Son of Heaven, assists the state, and wields authority with unrivaled prestige. He is about to campaign across the land, and he has also petitioned to appoint you General Who Pacifies the East."
"You should join forces with Lord Cao to secure Mount Tai's safety!"
"If you marry into Yuan Shu's family now, you will earn a reputation for unrighteousness. What will you do if the imperial court takes offense?"
This was the difference between Chen Gui and Chen Gong. Whenever Chen Gong advised Lu Bu, he always began from the perspective of his own army's interests.
Chen Gui, by contrast, started with the imperial court and explained the political consequences.
That might not have worked on other warlords, but Lu Bu was partial to this approach. At the mention of the imperial court taking offense, he hesitated.
"But Yuan Shu's envoy has already taken my daughter away. What can we do now?"
Chen Gui shook his head with a smile.
"They only left this morning, so they can't have gone far. Send troops to bring them back, then send the envoy to the imperial court. Lord Cao will certainly not blame you!"
Lu Bu hesitated, pacing back and forth.
Chen Gui added:
"General, you must understand that Yuan Shu is fickle. Now that he has your daughter, he will surely use her as a hostage someday!"
"If he asks you for grain or troops and you agree, you'll be run ragged. If you refuse, you'll abandon your own kin and invite conflict."
At this, Lu Bu stopped abruptly. Remembering how Yuan Shu had repeatedly made things difficult for him, he fumed.
"Ha! Yuan Shu has been taking advantage of me. If you hadn't come, I'd nearly have fallen into his trap today!"
With that, he hurried out and shouted:
"Men! Give Wei Xu the order to take troops and pursue Yuan Shu's envoy at once. He must bring my daughter back!"
At his command, a soldier rushed out to deliver the order.
Seeing this, Chen Gong felt even more desolate. They had given the very same advice, so why had Lu Bu credited Chen Gui with the idea?
As he was thinking this, a man hurried in and announced:
"My lord, a messenger from Liu Bei's army has arrived!"
At this, Chen Gong abruptly raised his head. Lu Bu was equally surprised.
"Liu Bei has sent a messenger?"
Since coming to Xuzhou, Lu Bu had repeatedly undermined Liu Bei, driving him into friendly relations with Cao Cao.
By all rights, he and Liu Bei should have been enemies to the end!
What could Liu Bei be writing to him about now?
Even Chen Gui looked surprised, his old face showing his astonishment.
Liu Bei's letter had come quite unexpectedly!
What could Liu Bei want at a time like this?
Before you continue