Three Kingdoms: Taking Over Liu Bei’s Legacy at the Start, Rebuilding the Han Dynasty Chapter 10

Chapter 10

“Good, good!” Sima Hui nodded with a smile and instructed a servant to bring paper and brush.

Liu Qi picked up the brush and, with swift strokes, wrote:

Golden scales are not mere pond creatures;

When meeting wind and clouds, they transform into dragons.

The dragon’s roar in the ninth heaven stirs the world,

Sweeping away the smoke of wolves to revive the Han.

“Good, good, good! Excellent calligraphy, excellent lines!” Sima Hui, who had initially appeared indifferent, was deeply moved after reading it. He exclaimed, “You truly are a dragon hidden in the mire.”

Although Liu Qi performed poorly in politics, he was the eldest son of the Liu family and had Liu Biao as a respected leader in the scholarly community, with considerable literary talent.

Especially after arriving in Xiangyang, he had received guidance from many renowned figures. His calligraphy was influenced by Handan Chun, and he had gained some fame in seal script, cursive script, and clerical script.

“You flatter me!” Liu Qi stood and clasped his fists, saying, “With the war about to break out in Jingzhou, preserving my own safety is no longer a viable strategy. Where can there be unbroken eggs under a collapsed nest? I must go to Xinye to stabilize the people’s hearts, so I will take my leave.”

Sima Hui pondered for a moment and said, “Xu Shu rode away on a donkey this morning; he probably hasn’t left the borders of Xiangyang yet. If you hurry to catch up, you might still reach him.”

Liu Qi was overjoyed and asked, “Do you know which road he took?”

Sima Hui said, “If you go northwest from here and enter Jing Mountain, there is a mountain road that leads straight to Zhonglu.

“Thank you for your guidance, sir!” Liu Qi clarified Xu Shu’s attire, bid farewell to Sima Hui, and after leaving the village, sought the road to catch up.

Seeing Liu Qi enter the mountain without hesitation, Sima Hui stroked his beard and smiled.

“The situation in Jingzhou is still unstable. If you guide the young lord to enter the mountains alone, and he encounters danger, wouldn’t that be a grave mistake?”

At that moment, a man stepped out from the side door, standing seven feet tall, wearing a cloth robe and a cap, with a treasured sword hanging at his waist, slightly furrowing his brow.

Sima Hui turned and smiled, saying, “Yuan Zhi, don’t worry. This road leads straight to Zhonglu; it is a place frequented by my good friends, and the area is safe.”

This man was none other than Xu Shu, who sighed, “Now that uncle Liu is dead, it’s hard to find a wise ruler. I have no intention of serving Liu Biao again; you should not deceive him.”

Sima Hui returned to the house and took out the letter Liu Qi had written for Xu Shu: “Yuan Zhi, please take a look.”

Xu Shu took it, recalling their earlier conversation, and repeatedly praised, “The golden scales are not mere things in a pond! Wonderful, wonderful…”

Sima Hui said, “Just now, Liu Qi, disregarding danger, entered the mountains, showing his desire to seek talent. Since he has come for you, why not test it further before making a decision?”

Xu Shu then understood that Sima Hui was deliberately testing him and asked, “Liu Qi has already left. How can I catch up with him?”

Sima Hui stroked his beard and smiled, “If you head south from the village, you can reach Tan River directly. Yuan Zhi can take a boat across the river; it takes only about two hours to get to Zhonglu, but the night journey is a bit dangerous.”

Xu Shu laughed heartily, gripping his sword, “I, Xu, have roamed the rivers and lakes with my sword; why fear the night? I’ll set off right away.”

As Liu Qi entered the mountains, it was already dusk. Seeing that it was getting late, Huang Zhong advised him to return quickly.

However, Liu Qi remained calm and smiled, “Han Sheng, don’t worry. There won’t be any danger.”

Huang Zhong asked in confusion, “How can you be so sure?”

Liu Qi replied, “Since he knows about the changes in Xiangyang, he should understand the current situation. Logically, he should advise me to return to Xiangyang. His guidance to enter the mountains is merely a test; if something were to happen to me, wouldn’t he be the one to bear the blame in Jingzhou?”

Liu Qi said, “The Shuijing Villa truly has hidden talents. Since I’m seeking talent, what is a bit of hardship in this journey? It’s not that I lack sincerity; I just need to play my part in his performance, and I’ll do my best.”

Huang Zhong seemed to understand but was still unsure. The group traveled through the night; as the bright moon rose in the east and the mountain winds howled, they encountered not a single soul along the way.

Huang Zhong couldn’t help but urge Liu Qi again to turn back.

But Liu Qi was certain that Xu Shu must be just around the corner ahead, as he chased through one mountain pass after another.

Until the moon reached its zenith, a clear and resonant song suddenly echoed from ahead, sounding exceptionally clear in the silent mountains.

“Just as I expected!” Liu Qi’s spirits lifted, urging his horse forward.

Turning over a ridge, he indeed saw a figure under the moonlight, riding a donkey with a sword on his back, one hand holding a gourd, drinking and singing:

“… The tower is about to collapse; a single tree cannot support it.

In the valley there are sages; I wish to serve a wise lord…”

Liu Qi passed the person and blocked his path, noticing that he remained calm and composed, nodding inwardly.

“Sir, traveling at night in the deep mountains, aren’t you afraid of bandits lurking about, seeking to harm you for your wealth?”

The man laughed heartily, holding the wine gourd, “I have roamed the rivers and lakes for decades; I have killed others, but no one can kill me.”

“What a boast!” Huang Zhong, feeling a bit irritated, sneered, “You sing all the way; isn’t it just to bolster your courage?”

“Do not be rude!”

“Oh?” The man was taken aback and smiled lightly, “I do not know you, so how could you know my name?”

Liu Qi replied, “I am Liu Qi. I saw your letter and chased after you to Shuijing Villa. Thankfully, they pointed me in your direction, and I hurried here to invite you back to the city.”

“You are the eldest son of Liu Shijun?” Xu Shu was surprised and quickly dismounted, bowing in respect, “It is not that I left without notice; it is because I feel my abilities are insufficient to handle the affairs of the prefecture. I hope you can forgive me.”

Liu Qi said, “My father has been seriously ill lately and cannot manage affairs. He has not recognized your great talent. Now that my uncle has been harmed by Cai Mao, I have been entrusted with the responsibility to revive our family business and support the Han dynasty. I feel inadequate and hope you can lend me your assistance.”

Xu Shu shook his head, saying, “You flatter me, sir. I am merely a drifter in the rivers and lakes, lacking in talent. I feel ashamed to have been idling at home; how could I dare to stay longer?”

Liu Qi sighed, “Since I came to Jingzhou, I have felt unwell due to the environment, which has caused me to fall ill and become depressed. Moreover, my stepmother, often harbors malicious intentions. However, a son should not speak ill of his parents, so I can only hide my talents and seek to avoid disaster. Now, to avenge my uncle, I have no choice but to take risks.”

Xu Shu let out a soft sigh, “I did not expect that you are also a filial person!”

Liu Qi knew of Xu Shu’s filial piety and wanted that resonance.

He continued, “However, Cao Cao has intentions to swallow Jingzhou, and Sun Quan continues to attack Jiangxia. Just like the song you sang earlier: the great building is about to collapse; a single tree cannot support it. My wisdom is limited, and I still need to rely on your strength.”

Xu Shu chuckled, “I am just a wandering traveler; how could I dare to discuss matters of the world?”

Liu Qi bowed and said, “In the past, Emperor Gaozu did not recognize Han Xin, yet Xiao He pursued him under the moonlight and established the foundation of the Han dynasty. Now my father does not recognize you, and I take the liberty to pursue you. I hope you will overlook past grievances and help me protect Jingzhou, revive the Han dynasty, and uphold righteousness in the world.”

Seeing Liu Qi’s sincerity and foresight, Xu Shu finally made up his mind and bowed, saying:

“I have long heard that Liu Mu distinguishes good from evil. I initially intended to stay away, but upon meeting you, I find you only wish to write and discuss principles, intent on self-preservation. Having heard the heartfelt words of the eldest son, I am willing to offer my services.”

Liu Qi was overjoyed and immediately ordered someone to provide Xu Shu with a new horse. The group then hurried back to Xiangyang.

Along the way, they did not mention family matters, instead lamenting like Liu Bei about the decline of the Han dynasty, criticizing treacherous officials, and expressing sympathy for the suffering of the people.

They spoke of Liu Bei’s entrustment and guidance, emphasizing that as a member of the Han family, one should not watch the country fall; to achieve great endeavors, one must revive the court and support the Han dynasty.

By the time they reached the city, it was already bright. Liu Qi ordered arrangements for Xu Shu to rest, planning to set off together the next day to deploy troops in Xinye.

As Liu Qi hurried off to the government office, Xu Shu sighed with emotion, “In the south, there is a bird; if it does not fly, it will remain still, but when it does fly, it soars to the sky. If it does not sing, it remains silent, but when it does sing, it startles the world!”