Time, Fate, and Destiny

Half a month later, news arrived from Xiapi: the forces of Han Xian and Yang Feng had defected mid-battle, catching Yuan Shu's army off guard. Zhang Xun was soundly defeated and fled, and later, Lu Bu joined forces with the two defectors to advance by land and water, pursuing the enemy until they reached Zhongli, only two hundred li from Shouchun. Of the troops Zhang Xun had led, less than one in ten remained.

Upon hearing the battle report, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were all dumbstruck; Lan Tian's analytical ability was simply peerless.

"Big Brother, since Lan Ziyu possesses such great talent, why not go and invite him personally? We are currently in need of someone to devise strategies," Guan Yu suggested.

Liu Bei shook his head with a bitter smile, "I have already invited him once before, but Lan Tian said he wished to remain in his hometown to fulfill his filial duties. How could I force him?"

"Big Brother is right, that fellow is far too arrogant, though he is quite a master at cooking. When shall we go to Gan Family Village again?" Zhang Fei asked.

"My wife has been in the city lately, so how could we go there so abruptly? However, I did leave word last time; since Ziyu's prediction of the military situation proved correct, I must invite him for a drink," Liu Bei said.

"A gentleman keeps his word and must not break his promise. Big Brother, I shall go prepare several more jars of wine now," Zhang Fei said, departing in a flurry of activity.

After Zhang Fei left, Guan Yu saw the look of worry on Liu Bei's face and comforted him, "Big Brother need not fret. Although Lan Ziyu is unwilling to be recruited for the time being, he shares a deep bond with his sister. If we can persuade her to ask for his counsel, I believe he will not refuse."

Liu Bei turned to look at Guan Yu in surprise, then said joyfully, "Second Brother, your words are like parting the clouds to see the sun! I shall go call for my wife at once, and we shall head to Gan Family Village to invite Ziyu for a drink."

At that moment, Gan Family Village was in the midst of sowing. As an agricultural technical consultant, Lan Tian had been spending his days under the scorching sun in the fields.

"Husband, look, Ziyu is right there," Gan Qian said, pointing to Lan Tian not far away.

Due to the sweltering heat, Lan Tian wore a straw hat, a short hemp shirt, and his trouser legs were rolled up. He stood barefoot in the field, gesturing and directing; his appearance was no different from an ordinary farmer.

When called over by Gan Qian, the fellow was covered in mud, yet he didn't feel the least bit awkward.

"Younger Brother, is Father at home?" Gan Qian asked.

"He is at home cooling off. And these generals are..." Lan Tian noticed Zhang Fei clutching a wine jar.

Zhang Fei said, "Big Brother said last time he would treat you to a drink, and now he has come to fulfill his promise. When are you coming back?"

Lan Tian looked them up and down, thinking to himself, Could they be here just to sponge a meal? There isn't much meat at home right now.

He clapped the dust from his hands and said, "Sister, you and the three generals go back and rest first. I will go to the river to wash up and then join you."

"Hey, remember to put on your shoes. Be careful not to step on any thorns."

"I know."

Watching Lan Tian's retreating back, Liu Bei shook his head and laughed, "Your brother is truly unconstrained."

"My younger brother is quite fond of farming and is even cultivating new grain seeds. I don't even know what is going on in his head," Gan Qian remarked. In her view, with Lan Tian's talent, he could easily live a life of leisure; there was no need to engage in such menial labor.

"On the contrary. Mencius said: 'The people are the most important, the state comes next, and the ruler is the least.' Ziyu's passion for agriculture stems from his desire to see the people well-fed. This is a great virtue; it is hard to find another like him in this world," Liu Bei praised.

Seeing Liu Bei praise Lan Tian, Gan Qian wanted to offer a polite retort, but Zhang Fei interrupted, "Big Brother, Sister-in-law, the sun on this road is too fierce. Let's hurry home; Ziyu is still waiting for the wine in my arms."

Liu Bei knew exactly what Zhang Fei meant, so he shook his head and smiled, "Very well, Second Brother, Third Brother, let us go."

Lan Tian washed the mud from his legs at the riverbank, then changed into cool hemp shoes and headed home. Along the way, the farmhands busy sowing greeted him one after another; these simple farmers respected Lan Tian from the bottom of their hearts.

Because summer sowing required little rain, irrigation was necessary. Lan Tian had used many scientific methods from his previous life to make irrigation time-saving and labor-efficient, so now the entire family no longer needed to be mobilized.

Upon returning home, Gan Qian was already preparing the meal. The fresh meat sent by the farmhands had been consumed, and the remainder had been salted and stored in the cool shelter.

Although the shelter was intended for escaping disasters, Gan Ji often went there to cool off during the hot summer.

"Foster Father, although the shelter is cool, you must wear clothes when you go down, otherwise it is easy for the cold to enter your body," Lan Tian said.

"Tian'er's words are surely correct; I shall listen to you. Look, Xuande has kept his word and come to invite you for a drink." As Gan Ji spoke, Zhang Fei had already opened the wine jar.

In this era, there was no distillation technology. The main ingredients for brewing were fruits and coarse grains, and the wine produced through primitive fermentation had a relatively low alcohol content and appeared cloudy when poured into a bowl. It was truly a case of "meeting with a pot of turbid wine," so the Third Master Zhang drank it as if it were fruit juice.

Of the six jars of wine brought by horse, Zhang Fei drank three himself.

The wine was scarce and the food was not lavish, so the meal ended quickly.

Lan Tian noticed that Liu Bei was quite composed. He had expected him to ask about something, but the man spent the entire time inviting everyone to drink and eat. After resting for a while, he took everyone back to Xiaopei, as if they had truly only come for a drink.

Watching Lan Tian's puzzled expression, Gan Ji sighed, "Xuande is just too benevolent. Although our people love him, it is a pity that it is difficult to secure a foothold in these chaotic times."

"It is a matter of time, fate, and luck. He will have his chance," Lan Tian said meaningfully.

Gan Ji felt a shiver; this child often said astonishing things. Could it be that Liu Xuande would one day soar to the heavens?

"By the way, Foster Father, did Lady Lu say anything before she left last year? Why haven't I received a reply after sending local produce several times in the past six months? Even General Gao hasn't sent a single word back. It is truly strange," Lan Tian said.

"Cough, cough, how would I know? She is a lady of an official's family, and you are the son of a farming family; the disparity in status is still there. I see you are not young anymore; Xuande is well-traveled, so I will ask him to find you a match later." Gan Ji had sent Lu Lingqi away last year without telling Lan Tian clearly, intending to let time wear down their feelings. Now, it seemed things were going against his wishes.

"Foster Father, what are you saying? I am still young; please don't trouble General Liu," Lan Tian hurriedly refused.

His concept of marriage was still stuck in his previous world; he thought, How can one get married in their teens?

"Young? A man cannot settle his heart until he has a family. You don't need to worry about this; your sister and I will make the decision for you," Gan Ji said sternly.

What do you mean I don't need to worry? Is it not me getting married? Besides, I am only nineteen!

Because of Gan Ji's words, Lu Lingqi not only gave up on pursuing her happiness but also actively cut off contact with Xiaopei. The local produce Lan Tian sent through others ended up being stockpiled in Gao Shun's camp, and she even demanded that Gao Shun not contact the other party.

After Lu Bu defeated Yuan Shu, Han Xian and Yang Feng returned to Xu Province with him, stationing their troops on the outskirts of Xiapi. Because Xu Province had been plagued by constant warfare and occasional natural disasters, the shortage of military provisions had always been Lu Bu's weakness.

Although the Chen Family of Xiapi had deep foundations, they did not go all out to support Lu Bu as Mi Zhu had supported Liu Bei; instead, they kept Lu Bu in a state of constant hunger, like training a hawk.

Lu Bu intercepted a portion of the military supplies obtained after defeating Yuan Shu and distributed the rest to Han Xian and Yang Feng. However, because there were many troops stationed in Xu Province at the time, every camp faced the dilemma of not having enough to eat. Food shortages easily led to mutiny, so Gao Shun was under great pressure regarding the city's defense.

This situation was something Han Xian and Yang Feng had not anticipated, so the two led their armored troops into Xiapi to demand grain from Lu Bu.