Lu Bu's Stratagem? Then Zhang Fei Will Embroider

The harvest at Gan Family Village was bountiful, and the Gan household was set to host a celebration for several days.

Zhang Fei had barely reached the courtyard gate when he caught the scent of food. He said excitedly, "Big Brother, Second Brother, doesn't it seem like the dishes at Sister-in-law's house are quite rich today?"

"Third Brother, do try to be more composed," Guan Yu frowned and reminded him.

"Second Brother, you are too stern. Isn't Sister-in-law's home the same as Big Brother's home? You shouldn't keep such a long face all the time."

Guan Yu: ...

"Is that Xuande?" Hearing voices outside the gate, Gan Ji walked out and discovered it was Liu, Guan, and Zhang.

Liu Bei addressed him as father-in-law, while Guan Yu and Zhang Fei both cupped their hands in salute.

Gan Ji welcomed the three into the courtyard and had them sit before the house, then called out inside, "Qian'er, prepare three more sets of bowls and chopsticks; Xuande and the others are here."

Hearing her father's call, Gan Qian ran out and was surprised to see it was indeed Liu Bei.

"Husband, two Uncles."

"Greetings, Sister-in-law."

"You have come at the perfect time; Ziyu is the head chef today," Gan Qian said, wiping sweat from her forehead.

"That sounds wonderful. Sister-in-law, do you have any wine? I've been walking all the way here and am quite thirsty," Zhang Fei said, scratching his head.

"We do. Please, take a seat; I will be right back," Gan Qian smiled and walked into the house.

Seeing this, Guan Yu blushed and said to Gan Ji, "Please forgive my brother, Father-in-law; my Third Brother is just like this."

Gan Ji shook his head and laughed, "General Yide is very straightforward; this old man quite likes such a personality."

After the villagers finished their harvest, they had sent over eggs, meat, and other ingredients according to custom. However, as the summer heat made storage difficult, Lan Tian needed to turn the ingredients into delicacies as soon as possible.

Knowing Zhang Fei loved his wine, Gan Qian first brought out two jars, followed by two plates of boiled fava beans. Since seasonings were limited in this era, Lan Tian could only prepare them simply as a cold dish.

In that era, fava beans were considered a supplementary food source. Few people grew them, and the cooking methods were monotonous. Because of their coarse texture, not many people ate them. Lan Tian had promoted fava bean cultivation in Gan Family Village primarily to use them as green manure.

Lan Tian's unique "cold-tossed" method piqued Zhang Fei's curiosity. "Sister-in-law, what is this?"

"Uncle, this is cold-tossed fava beans. Ziyu said they go well with wine. This is the first time I've seen this method, too," Gan Qian smiled.

Guan Yu, not one for many words, picked one up and tossed it into his mouth. He nodded in affirmation, "It is indeed quite flavorful. Big Brother, Third Brother, you should try some too."

"Second Brother, you were lecturing me just a moment ago, yet you're faster than me now."

Guan Yu: ...

Fava beans were indeed a good accompaniment to wine. Before the hot dishes were even served, the three of them had already finished several bowls with Gan Ji.

Before long, the small table was filled with large and small plates. Zhang Fei smelled the aroma of meat and could almost taste it.

"Father-in-law, Ziyu, we three brothers are imposing on you today." After taking his seat, Lan Tian, Liu Bei was the first to raise his wine bowl.

"We are all family; Xuande, don't be so formal. Everyone, eat while it's hot. Tian'er's cooking is truly excellent," Gan Ji invited.

Guan Yu picked up a piece of meat, chewed it twice, and then paused.

Liu Bei set down his cup and, seeing his strange expression, asked, "Second Brother, is the food not to your liking?"

Guan Yu shook his head and continued chewing, then sighed, "Big Brother, I have traveled north and south for many years, but I have never seen cooking like Ziyu's in my life. It is truly delicious."

"Second Brother, if you're going to eat, just eat. Why so many words? I, your Third Brother, don't have all these insights." Zhang Fei ate meat and drank wine in large gulps, having no time to critique the food.

Seeing his brothers in such high spirits, Liu Bei raised his bowl to toast Lan Tian, then tilted his head back and finished it in one go.

Thinking of the villagers' expressions during the harvest and looking at the delicious food on the table, Liu Bei suddenly felt a sense of envy for this young farmer.

At the Gan family's harvest feast, Zhang Fei drank the most heartily.

As the table became a mess of empty plates and cups, Guan Yu reminded him, "Third Brother, drink no more. We must return to camp to drill the troops shortly."

"Drill what? Drill what troops? Didn't you say there was no chance to launch a surprise attack on Xiapi? Ah," Zhang Fei slurred, his eyes hazy with drink.

Gan Ji was also somewhat tipsy. He squinted at Liu Bei and asked, "Is Xuande going to war with Lu Bu again? When will our Xu Province ever find peace?"

"My current forces are too few; how could I possibly provoke Lu Bu?" Liu Bei explained.

"But General Yide said you were going to launch a surprise attack on Xiapi," Gan Ji pressed.

"I just received news that Yuan Shu is raising an army to attack Xiapi. My Third Brother is just talking nonsense because he's drunk," Liu Bei said.

Gan Ji nodded, "If that is the case, then it is well. The people of Xiaopei cannot endure more turmoil. But will Lu Bu ask for your help?"

"I shouldn't think so..."

"Foster Father, the means by which Lu Bu obtained Xiapi were not honorable. At this moment, he is likely guarding against General Liu; why would he ask him for help? I think you are a bit drunk; let me help you back to your room to rest," Lan Tian said.

After Lan Tian helped Gan Ji up, a southern breeze blew by. The chill on his back sobered Gan Ji slightly. Remembering that he had just been discussing state affairs with Liu Bei, he blushed and followed him into the house.

When Lan Tian returned after settling Gan Ji, he saw Guan Yu supporting Zhang Fei, seemingly preparing to leave.

"You two siblings have worked hard today. I still have many military matters in the city, so I will take my Third Brother back first. Madam, you may return once you have finished your tasks."

"Yes, I will return once I have finished cleaning up."

As the three men turned to leave, Gan Qian suddenly called out to him, "Husband, wait a moment."

"What is it, Madam?"

"Ziyu, your analysis of the situation is quite thorough. In your view, can Yuan Shu defeat Lu Bu? If Lu Bu is defeated, then Xiaopei will also be in danger." Yuan Shu had previously pursued Liu Bei relentlessly, which made Gan Qian unable to help but worry.

Lan Tian looked at the couple, thinking to himself, Sister, you are forcing me to speak.

Guan Yu, standing to the side, also watched Lan Tian intently; he was very curious to hear what this young man would say.

"Who did Yuan Shu send as generals? How many troops does he have?" Lan Tian asked.

"According to reports from scouts, it is the generals Zhang Xun and Qiao Rui, with Han Xian, Yang Feng, and others assisting. They have tens of thousands of infantry and cavalry, several times more than Lu Bu's forces," Liu Bei replied.

After hearing this, Lan Tian smiled and said, "General, you may return with peace of mind. Yuan Shu's army will surely be defeated in this battle."

"Ziyu, why are you so certain?" Guan Yu asked, puzzled.

"A unified army is hard to defeat, but a coalition is easily broken. Yuan Shu's troops and those of Han Xian and Yang Feng are not necessarily of one mind. I predict that Lu Bu will use a strategy of alienation to break the enemy; news will return within a month."

Guan Yu and Liu Bei were both stunned upon hearing this. Besides farming, this fellow actually had insights into military strategy?

"If it happens as you say, Ziyu, we three brothers will come back to drink heartily with you. We bid you farewell."

After Liu Bei finished speaking, he left with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. On the road, Guan Yu could not help but say, "Big Brother, Lan Ziyu said Lu Bu would use a strategy of alienation. Is Lu Bu even capable of using strategies?"

Liu Bei shook his head and said, "Ziyu must be referring to Chen Gong; Lu Bu himself likely has no such cunning."

At this moment, Zhang Fei's eyes were blurred with drink, his state hovering between sobriety and intoxication. Upon hearing his two brothers discuss Lu Bu using a strategy, he turned his head and muttered, "That Three-Surname Slave knows how to use strategies? If that Lu Bu is so cunning, then I, Zhang Fei, will take up embroidery."

Liu Bei and Guan Yu both laughed upon hearing this.

The book is now on the trial recommendation list. Thank you to all the readers for your votes. There are too many heavyweights in the same period, and the pressure is immense. Please do not let the book sit in your library; continue to support it with your daily reads. Lan Ziyu offers you a toast.