The harvest was bountiful in Gan Family Village, and Gan Ji's family was holding a Harvest Feast for several days.
Zhang Fei had barely reached the courtyard when the aroma hit him. Excited, he said, "Big brother, second brother, the dishes at Sister-in-law's home seem especially plentiful today!"
"Third brother, try to be a little more composed," Guan Yu reminded him with a frown.
"Second brother, you're too serious. Isn't Sister-in-law's home just the same as big brother's? You don't have to keep a straight face all the time."
Guan Yu: ...
"Is that Xuande?" Hearing voices outside, Gan Ji came out and saw Liu, Guan, and Zhang.
Liu Bei called out to his uncle-in-law, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei both clasped their fists in greeting.
Gan Ji ushered the three of them into the house and had them sit down. Then he called inside, "Qian'er, get three more sets of bowls and chopsticks. Xuande and the others are here."
Hearing her father call, Gan Qian ran outside—and sure enough, Liu Bei was there.
"Husband, uncles."
"Greetings, Sister-in-law."
"You've come at just the right time. Ziyu's the chef today." Gan Qian wiped the sweat from her brow.
"That's great! Sister-in-law, do you have wine? I'm a little thirsty after walking all this way." Zhang Fei scratched his head.
"We do. Sit down first; I'll be right back." Gan Qian smiled and went inside.
Seeing this, Guan Yu blushed and said to Gan Ji, "Please forgive me, Uncle. My third brother is just like that."
Gan Ji shook his head with a smile. "General Yide is straightforward. This old man likes that sort of character."
After the harvest, the villagers had brought over eggs, meat, and other ingredients of their own accord, as was customary. But the summer heat made it difficult to store them, so Lan Tian had to turn them into delicious dishes as quickly as possible.
Knowing Zhang Fei enjoyed his wine, Gan Qian first brought out two jars. Then she served two plates of boiled fava beans. Since seasonings were limited in this era, Lan Tian had kept the preparation simple and served them cold.
In those days, fava beans were considered a supplementary food crop, so few people grew them. Their preparation was also limited, and their coarse texture meant few had ever eaten them. Lan Tian had promoted their cultivation in Gan Family Village mainly to use them as green manure.
Lan Tian's unusual way of serving them cold piqued Zhang Fei's curiosity. "Sister-in-law, what is this?"
"Uncle, these are cold fava beans. Ziyu said they taste good with wine. This is the first time I've seen them prepared this way, too." Gan Qian smiled.
Guan Yu was not one for many words. He picked up a bean, tossed it into his mouth, and nodded in approval. "They're quite tasty indeed. Big brother, third brother, try some."
"Second brother was just lecturing me, and now he's reaching for them faster than I am."
Guan Yu: ...
The fava beans did go well with wine. Before the hot dishes came out, Liu Bei and his brothers had already shared several bowls with Gan Ji.
Before long, every inch of the small table was crowded with large and small plates. Zhang Fei caught the scent of meat and could hardly keep from drooling.
"Uncle-in-law, Ziyu, forgive us for imposing on you today." Once Lan Tian had taken his seat, Liu Bei raised his wine bowl first.
"We're family, Xuande. No need to be so formal. Let's eat while it's hot. Tian'er's cooking is truly excellent." Gan Ji urged them on.
Guan Yu picked up a piece of meat and chewed twice, then stopped.
Liu Bei set down his wine cup. Seeing his expression, he asked, "Second brother, is something wrong with the food?"
Guan Yu shook his head and kept chewing. Then he sighed. "Big brother, I've traveled far and wide for many years, but I've never encountered cooking like Ziyu's. It truly is delicious."
"Second brother, just eat. Why all the commentary? I, Zhang Fei, don't have so many thoughts about food." Zhang Fei stuffed meat into his mouth and gulped down wine, too busy to appraise the feast.
Seeing how much his brothers were enjoying themselves, Liu Bei lifted his wine bowl to drink with Lan Tian, then threw back his head and drained it in one hearty gulp.
Remembering the joyful faces of the villagers celebrating their harvest, and looking at the delicious food on the table, Liu Bei suddenly found himself envying this farm boy.
Of everyone at the Gan family's Harvest Feast, Zhang Fei drank with the greatest gusto.
When the cups and plates were strewn about, Guan Yu warned him, "Third brother, you've had enough. We still have to return to camp and train the troops."
"Train what? Train the troops for what? Didn't you say there was no chance to raid Xiapi? Huh?" Zhang Fei slurred, his eyes bleary with drink.
Gan Ji was a little drunk as well. He squinted at Liu Bei and asked, "Xuande, are you going to fight Lu Bu again? When will our home in Xu Province ever be at peace?"
"I don't have enough troops right now. How could I possibly provoke Lu Bu?" Liu Bei explained.
"But General Yide said you were going to raid Xiapi," Gan Ji pressed.
"We just got word that Yuan Shu has raised an army to attack Xiapi. Third brother was drunk and talking nonsense," Liu Bei said.
Gan Ji nodded. "If that's the case, then good. The people of Xiaopei can't take any more turmoil. But will Lu Bu ask you for help?"
"Probably not."
"Adoptive father, Lu Bu didn't take Xiapi by honorable means. He's probably on guard against General Liu right now. Why would he ask him to come to the rescue? I think you've had a bit too much to drink. Let me help you back to your room to rest," Lan Tian said.
As Lan Tian helped Gan Ji to his feet, a southerly breeze swept through. A chill ran down Gan Ji's back, and the wine haze began to lift. Remembering that he had just been discussing matters of war and state with Liu Bei, he blushed and followed Lan Tian inside.
When Lan Tian came back after settling Gan Ji in, he saw Guan Yu supporting Zhang Fei, apparently ready to leave.
"You and your sister have worked hard today. I still have plenty of military affairs to attend to in the city, so I'll take third brother back with me. My wife, come back on your own once you're done."
"Mm. I'll help clean up and then come back."
Liu Bei and the others turned to leave, but Gan Qian suddenly called out to him. "Husband, wait a moment."
"What is it, my wife?"
"Ziyu, your analysis of the situation is remarkably perceptive. In your view, can Yuan Shu defeat Lu Bu? If Lu Bu is defeated, Xiaopei will be in danger too." Yuan Shu had relentlessly pursued Liu Bei before, and Gan Qian could not help worrying.
Lan Tian glanced at the couple and thought, Sister, you're leaving me no choice but to say it.
Guan Yu was watching Lan Tian as well. He, too, wanted to hear what the young man would say.
"Who has Yuan Shu sent to command the army? And how many troops does he have?" Lan Tian asked.
"Our scouts report that his generals are Zhang Xun and Qiao Rui, with Han Xian, Yang Feng, and others supporting them. They have tens of thousands of cavalry and infantry, several times Lu Bu's force," Liu Bei said.
Lan Tian smiled. "General, you can return with peace of mind. Yuan Shu's army will certainly lose this battle."
"Ziyu, why are you so certain?" Guan Yu asked, puzzled.
"An army that's difficult to defeat alone is easy to break when it's part of a larger force. Yuan Shu's troops may not be of one heart with Han Xian and Yang Feng. I'm certain Lu Bu will use a wedge strategy to defeat them. We'll hear the news within a month."
Guan Yu and Liu Bei both froze. Besides farming, this fellow actually had insight into military affairs?
"If things turn out as Ziyu says, the three of us will come back for a hearty drink with you. We'll take our leave now."
After Liu Bei finished speaking, he left with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. As they walked, Guan Yu could not help saying, "Big brother, Lan Ziyu says Lu Bu will use a wedge strategy. Does Lu Bu even know how to use stratagems?"
Liu Bei shook his head. "Ziyu must mean Chen Gong. Lu Bu probably doesn't have much in the way of strategy."
At that moment, Zhang Fei was half drunk and half sober. He happened to hear his two brothers talking about Lu Bu using a stratagem, and muttered, turning his head, "That Three-Surname Slave knows how to use a stratagem? If Lu Bu's really that clever, I, Zhang Fei, will take up embroidery."
Liu Bei and Guan Yu both laughed.
The book has made it onto the trial recommendation list! Thank you, dear readers, for your votes. There are too many big names publishing at the same time, and the pressure is immense. Please don't let the book pile up—keep reading and supporting it. Lan Ziyu raises a toast to you!
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