Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

As Liu Bei began to question Xu Shu and Shi Tao, Li Ji, who had retrieved a roll of bamboo slips from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, also approached, wanting to hear their answers.

Getting closer, Li Ji realized that Xu Shu and Shi Tao seemed even younger than himself, probably only in their teens, perhaps not even of age yet.

Faced with Liu Bei's gentle inquiry, Xu Shu and Shi Tao exchanged a glance.

Xu Shu, however, showed no timidity, cupping his hands with a confident expression and replying,

"Shu and his friend Shi Tao deeply appreciate the benevolence and righteousness of Imperial Uncle Liu. Looking at the hundreds of commanderies under the Han, only Imperial Uncle Liu consistently resettles displaced people. His benevolence and virtue, Shu believes, are what a true man should strive for."

These words undoubtedly struck a chord in Liu Bei's heart, and he humbly replied with a smile, "To govern and care for the people on behalf of the Emperor is the duty of a subject. How dare I claim merit?"

A hint of hesitation appeared on Xu Shu's face, then transformed into determination as he lowered his head and said in a deep voice,

"Shu has the desire to follow Imperial Uncle Liu in establishing a world of benevolence and virtue. However, I dare not deceive Imperial Uncle Liu. Shu has wasted half his life on bravery and fighting, and has studied for less than a year. I consider myself lacking in talent and knowledge, insufficient to assist a wise lord."

"Therefore, my purpose in seeking this audience is to request that Imperial Uncle Liu take me along on his journey south to Wu Commandery to study at the Academy of Benevolence. Once I have achieved something in my studies, I will certainly serve under Imperial Uncle Liu's command."

Shi Tao also cupped his hands and bowed, saying, "I am of the same mind."

"This…"

Liu Bei was completely surprised by this answer.

If Li Ji hadn't known quite a bit about Xu Shu and Shi Tao's background, it would have sounded just like a scam…

I, Xu Shu, need money. Once I've completed my studies, I will repay you handsomely.

In fact, Xu Shu, who had originally acted on impulse, gradually felt that his words were somewhat presumptuous and rude.

They were strangers to each other, and Liu Bei didn't lack scholars with limited talent to serve him. Why would he treat him with courtesy?

He even thought that even if Liu Bei suspected Xu Shu of being a spy sent to gather military intelligence, it wouldn't be an exaggeration.

However, just as Xu Shu's heart grew more uneasy, and he secretly regretted not having shed his chivalrous recklessness,

Liu Bei clapped his hands and laughed, saying,

"Good. Since Xu Shu and Shi Tao both have this intention, then accompany the army with me on our journey south. However, whether you can enter the Academy of Benevolence will depend on your own abilities."

Shi Tao was overjoyed, while Xu Shu was surprised and somewhat dazed, instinctively asking,

"Imperial Uncle Liu, aren't you afraid that I am a swindler?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Tao was alarmed and subconsciously tugged at Xu Shu's sleeve, reminding him not to say too much.

To Xu Shu and Shi Tao, Liu Bei was undoubtedly a near legendary figure.

If they hadn't been desperate, Xu Shu and Shi Tao would never have tried to visit Liu Bei with such boldness.

Therefore, Shi Tao was genuinely worried that Xu Shu's question would anger Liu Bei, causing them, two nobodies, to lose their heads.

However, Liu Bei's face showed no displeasure, and he said,

"If you two are swindlers, I will only lose some grain and energy. But if you truly have the desire to study, and one day achieve something in your learning, I will have helped the Han cultivate two talents. There is no greater good than this, so why wouldn't I do it?"

At this moment, the benevolent and magnanimous spirit displayed by Liu Bei undoubtedly shocked Xu Shu and Shi Tao, while Li Ji couldn't help but reveal a knowing smile.

"Do not refrain from doing good because it is small, and do not do evil because it is small."

This was Liu Bei's motto for dealing with the world. The fact that Xu Shu and Shi Tao hadn't come to offer their services did disappoint Liu Bei, but it didn't affect his kindness.

"A true virtuous lord."

Shi Tao exclaimed with genuine emotion, unable to resist cupping his hands and bowing to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei's continuous resettlement of refugees from the Central Plains over the years had made his reputation for benevolence deeply rooted in the hearts of the people in the Central Plains. Otherwise, Shi Tao wouldn't have agreed to Xu Shu's request for help.

However, after being in contact with Liu Bei for less than a quarter of an hour, Shi Tao was still deeply impressed by Liu Bei, and a strong desire to serve him arose in his heart.

'I have already met a wise lord, but I regret that my studies are not yet complete…'

Shi Tao greatly regretted and hated his past laziness, so much so that he now lacked the confidence to directly serve a wise lord.

And in Xu Shu's eyes, Liu Bei seemed to be radiating light at this moment…

The next moment, to the slight surprise of Liu Bei and Li Ji, Xu Shu suddenly knelt down and bowed, saying,

"Shu is ashamed of Imperial Uncle's trust. In fact, Xu Shu's original name was Xu Fu. A year ago, I killed someone to avenge a friend and was wanted by the authorities. To avoid capture, I changed my name to Xu Shu…"

As he said this, the emotions in Xu Shu's heart were incredibly complex.

However, Xu Shu's loyalty made it unbearable for him to deceive Liu Bei in this way while receiving his trust and kindness.

So, even though Xu Shu was very worried that revealing the truth would lead to Liu Bei's contempt and expulsion, he still chose to tell everything.

Watching Xu Shu suddenly expose himself, Shi Tao felt his eyes go dark, and he almost fainted from anger.

Liu Bei was, after all, an official of the Han Dynasty. Directly confessing to being a wanted criminal in front of an official was like throwing oneself into a trap, offering one's head to the executioner!

However, the development of the situation was somewhat beyond Shi Tao's expectations.

Not only did Liu Bei not show any anger on his face, but he also clearly showed more appreciation, saying,

"To risk one's life for a friend's revenge can be called righteousness; to reveal everything without concealment can be called trustworthiness…"

After a pause, Liu Bei turned to Li Ji and said, "Zikun, to meet such a righteous and trustworthy person, this journey through Yingchuan has not been without its rewards."

Li Ji also echoed, saying, "Xu Shu is righteous and trustworthy. Since he has promised to serve you after completing his studies, he will certainly not break his word. I congratulate you in advance on obtaining a talent."

Liu Bei and Li Ji's exchange quickly eased the tension in Xu Shu and Shi Tao's hearts.

This was a small understanding between Liu Bei and Li Ji, master and subject, cooperating seamlessly without prior communication.

In fact, Xu Shu's killing for a friend might be a black mark in the eyes of other lords, but it was undoubtedly a definite plus in Liu Bei's group.

For one thing, Guan Yu was originally from Jie County in Hedong Commandery. He was also wanted for killing a friend and had to flee all the way to Zhuo Commandery in You Province before meeting Liu Bei.

Therefore, Xu Shu's initiative in stating this not only did not make Liu Bei despise him, but also created a sense of intimacy.

If he was willing to risk his life for a friend, he would certainly be a loyal and righteous person after serving him.

Immediately, Liu Bei personally helped Xu Shu up and asked gently,

"The reason you want to go south to Wu Commandery, is it because you are worried about being pursued by the government? If so, you don't have to go to Wu Commandery. I can try to communicate with the local government and have them revoke the wanted order and reward."

"Then, you can stay in Yingchuan to study in peace. After you have completed your studies, it doesn't matter if you come to Wu Commandery to find me."

How could Liu Bei's words not greatly move Xu Shu?

Even Xu Shu's eyes were almost visibly reddened, and he gratefully replied,

"Thank you for your concern, Imperial Uncle. Shu is grateful beyond words. However, I almost died at the hands of the authorities a year ago, and I realized that the bravery of a chivalrous person is only enough to defeat one enemy. Therefore, I want to learn the wisdom of a commander who can lead and strategize on the battlefield, defeating ten thousand enemies."

"Unfortunately, Shu was born into a humble family, and it is difficult to find a way to study in the private schools of Yingchuan. I have heard that the Academy of Benevolence teaches all without discrimination, so I want to go to Wu Commandery to study."

"But my family is poor, and if I use the little savings I have for travel expenses, my old mother may not be able to survive. I happened to hear that Imperial Uncle Liu was passing through Yingchuan, and I have long admired your reputation for benevolence, so I tried to ask to accompany the army south to Wu Commandery."

After hearing this, the look in Liu Bei's eyes as he looked at Xu Shu was one of suppressed appreciation.

From the words and actions Xu Shu had shown in this short encounter, his "loyalty, righteousness, filial piety, and trustworthiness" had been fully revealed.

Even though Xu Shu repeatedly claimed that his talent and learning were insufficient to assist a lord, Liu Bei had secretly decided that he would entrust Xu Shu with important tasks in the future.

"So that's how it is…"

The more Liu Bei looked at Xu Shu, the more pleasing he found him, and he said,

"Don't worry. Since you have the desire to study, then just accompany me south in peace."

"As for your old mother at home, there is no need to worry about her struggling to make ends meet. I also have some meager savings. I will lend you some money to leave for your old mother, so you can study in peace. You can find a way to repay me after you have completed your studies."

Xu Shu was extremely grateful in his heart, understanding that Liu Bei was offering it in the name of "borrowing" out of respect for him, not wanting to devalue his choice with money.

This made Xu Shu so moved that he wanted to kneel down again, and he said gratefully,

"Shu has nothing to repay you with, except to serve Imperial Uncle with all my strength after I have completed my studies."

(End of this chapter)