Can I Reach the Other Shore?

Liu Xie was thoroughly baffled. He could not understand why such formidable figures kept appearing one after another in a little place like Ye City.

He could understand Zhang He, Gao Lan, and Guo Jia showing up. After all, at this point in time, they really were in Ye City.

But why would Liu, Guan, and Zhang come here?

Historically, they had never come to Ye City to seek out Yuan Shao!

"Something's not right..."

Liu Xie swallowed. He realized that history had already begun to veer off course-or at least away from the history he knew.

Clearly, the effects of his arrival were beginning to emerge.

Suppressing those worries, Liu Xie feigned delighted surprise. "Liu Bei? Could it be Imperial Uncle Liu? He's actually come to Ye City?"

"Quick, quick! Of course I want to see them! Have them come into the palace at once!"

Liu Xie knew why Ju Shou had come: to have him receive Liu, Guan, and Zhang. If they were not to be allowed an audience, Yuan Shao would simply have turned them away. Why bother sending Ju Shou to ask his opinion?

It was just that, with Guo Jia present, Ju Shou could not say so outright.

"As you command. I shall report back to the Grand General at once."

Ju Shou respectfully acknowledged the order, then turned to Guo Jia and asked, "Aren't you coming with me, Fengxiao?"

Guo Jia shook his head. "I'll stay for now. I've long heard of the three brothers, Liu, Guan, and Zhang. When they enter the palace for their audience, I can take the opportunity to meet them."

"Very well."

Ju Shou nodded, then turned and left.

He had had little contact with Guo Jia and no particularly strong impression of him. He only knew that the man had come to offer his services of his own accord, but usually said little and barely made his presence felt.

Only after Ju Shou had left did Guo Jia bend down to pick up the dagger from the ground and offer it to Liu Xie with both hands.

"Your Majesty, you must never be so careless again."

"Within this palace, you must watch your words and actions."

Guo Jia's expression was sincere as he earnestly cautioned Liu Xie.

Liu Xie silently accepted the dagger Guo Jia handed him. Suddenly, he felt that this fellow was not quite so annoying after all.

Oh no, my heart's fluttering...

"Am I the one being won over by him instead?"

Liu Xie felt rather strange.

But regardless, Guo Jia's willingness to cover for him just now had genuinely touched him. It seemed this fellow really was not a bad person.

Tucking the dagger back into his sleeve, Liu Xie said, "Come. Accompany me to change, then we'll receive Imperial Uncle Liu."

With that, Liu Xie set down his fishing rod and headed toward his bedchamber.

Guo Jia smiled faintly and followed.

The main hall of the Yuan Residence.

Yuan Shao was receiving Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.

"Xuande, I never expected you to come to Ye City to seek me out."

"What a surprise."

Yuan Shao's face was full of smiles, and his tone was exceptionally warm.

Liu Bei's arrival had indeed surprised him-and delighted him immensely.

For who was Liu Bei?

A descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, a Han House clansman, Imperial Uncle Liu!

This was a genuine scion of the Han Dynasty's bloodline!

If word spread that Liu Bei had come to Ye City to pay his respects to the Son of Heaven, would there be any need to ask which emperor was the real one-the one in Xu County or the one in Ye City?

Liu Bei cupped his hands and smiled. "It has been a long time, Brother Yuan. Your bearing is even more impressive than before. And now you have been promoted to Grand General and Grand Marshal, ranking among the Three Excellencies."

"Such honors are enough to bring glory to your ancestors. The Yuan Clan is bound to flourish."

Everyone enjoyed hearing flattering words, and coming from Liu Bei, they pleased Yuan Shao all the more.

"You flatter me, Xuande. It is all thanks to His Majesty's trust."

Yuan Shao spoke modestly, but he could not keep the corners of his mouth from rising.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, he took the initiative to ask, "Speaking of which, weren't you stationed in Pei County, Xuande? What brings you here so suddenly?"

Although Liu Bei's arrival pleased him greatly, it also puzzled him.

The three had come alone, with just three horses. Surely they had not made the journey solely to pay their respects to the Son of Heaven. He did not believe Liu Bei had that much leisure.

"This is rather embarrassing to speak of."

At the question, Liu Bei could not help sighing. He set down his teacup. "I came to visit you, Brother Yuan, firstly because I heard the Son of Heaven was here. As a Han House clansman, both sentiment and duty demanded that I come to pay my respects."

"The second reason... is that I wish to borrow some troops from you."

At those words, the smile on Yuan Shao's face froze.

Chapter 27: An Audience with Liu, Guan, and Zhang

"Borrow troops?"

Those two words from Liu Bei instantly doused every last trace of Yuan Shao's enthusiasm, leaving not even a spark.

He had known this fellow's purpose in coming could not be so simple!

Although Yuan Shao's enthusiasm had vanished, he could hardly let his expression change outright. He feigned concern and asked, "What exactly happened, Xuande, that you need to borrow troops from me? What about your forces in Pei County?"

Deeply ashamed, Liu Bei said, "You do not know, Brother Yuan, but I suffered a surprise attack from Lü Bu, that household slave of three surnames. Not only did I lose Pei County, but even my wife and children were taken captive."

"With nowhere left to turn, I have come to seek your help."

"Now that you have been promoted to Grand General and Grand Marshal, Brother Yuan, you oversee military affairs throughout the realm. I hope you can lend me some troops to help me punish the rebel Lü Bu and retake Pei County."

His expression sincere, Liu Bei rose and bowed deeply to Yuan Shao.

"Well..."

After hearing Liu Bei's purpose, Yuan Shao looked hesitant.

He did not agree, but neither did he refuse outright.

Seeing Yuan Shao hesitate, Zhang Fei could no longer contain himself. He slammed his hand down on the table. "You're a damned ditherer! My elder brother has pleaded with you like this, and you're still dragging your feet?"

"If you won't lend us troops, we three brothers will just go elsewhere!"

Zhang Fei was thoroughly displeased. In his eyes, his elder brother was a man of extraordinary stature. With him humbling himself like this, why could Yuan Shao not simply agree?

Dithering and dawdling like a woman!

"Yide, don't be rude!"

Liu Bei turned to reprimand him, then apologized to Yuan Shao. "Brother Yuan, my third brother is rough and rash by nature. Please forgive him."

Yuan Shao waved a hand. "It's no matter. I'm not refusing, but lending troops is no small affair. Allow me a night to consider it, Xuande, and I'll give you an answer tomorrow. How does that sound?"

Liu Bei cupped his hands and smiled. "Of course."

He had not expected Yuan Shao to agree immediately. Lending troops was indeed no small matter. How many soldiers to lend and how much grain and fodder to provide all required discussion.

Had Yuan Shao agreed at once, he would instead have grown suspicious.

Once they had finished discussing the matter, Yuan Shao looked at the other man standing beside Liu Bei, and his eyes brightened slightly.

"General Guan, it's been a long time."

Yuan Shao greeted him with a smile.

Guan Yu had left a deep impression on him. During the campaign against Dong Zhuo, his feat of Warm Wine and Slay Hua Xiong had been magnificent. Yuan Shao still could not forget it.

It could be said that not one of the generals under his command could stand shoulder to shoulder with Guan Yu.

Guan Yu said nothing, merely nodding slightly in acknowledgment. Still holding the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, he stood beside Liu Bei like a guardian deity.

Sensing Guan Yu's coldness, Yuan Shao could not suppress a surge of envy toward Liu Bei.

Both Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were fierce generals capable of taking on ten thousand men.

Even across the entire realm, generals like these were exceedingly rare.

What virtue or ability does a down-and-out imperial clansman who started out weaving straw sandals possess, to command the loyalty of two fierce generals who can each take on ten thousand men?

What a load of dogshit luck!

Yuan Shao was deeply jealous. He looked down on Liu Bei, but he coveted Guan Yu and Zhang Fei intensely.

If he could bring those two under his command, they would be worth more than an army of a hundred thousand!

"Brother Yuan, when might we pay our respects to His Majesty?"

Liu Bei asked. Since they had come to Ye City, they certainly had to see the Son of Heaven. Otherwise, their conduct would be hard to justify.

Yuan Shao put aside his sour feelings and smiled. "I've already sent someone to the palace to report to His Majesty. It should be soon... Look, here he comes."

As he spoke, Ju Shou entered the main hall.

"My lord, I have reported to His Majesty. His Majesty has instructed Governor Liu and his two companions to enter the palace for an audience," Ju Shou said.

Yuan Shao nodded and rose. "Come, Xuande. I'll take you there."

He did not feel comfortable letting Liu Bei and his companions see the Son of Heaven alone. Escorting them himself would be safer, and if anything happened, he could salvage the situation.

Thus, the party set out for the palace.

Meanwhile, inside the palace.

Liu Xie had already changed his clothes and was waiting in the great hall.