Three Kingdoms: Taking Over Liu Bei’s Legacy at the Start, Rebuilding the Han Dynasty Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Upon returning to the government office, several important officials had already arrived early. Today was Liu Qi’s first day in charge, and they must not lose the proper etiquette.

Liu Qi said, “Although I have been entrusted by my father with the important matters of the province, I still need your assistance. The governance of various regions will continue as usual. Additionally, I need to issue a public notice to recruit talented individuals; anyone with a particular skill can be selected.”

Liu Xian asked, “When you refer to a particular skill, are you talking about craftsmen, doctors, or those with unique talents?”

“Exactly!” Liu Qi nodded and replied, “Cao Cao is campaigning to pacify the north, and he must have intentions to swallow Jingzhou. War is imminent, and we must utilize everyone’s talents and prepare early.”

“Understood!” Although Liu Xian was somewhat puzzled, he still agreed.

Liu Qi then wrote a list, recruiting Ma Liang, Pang Tong, Zhuge Liang, Jiang Wan, Liu Ba, Li Yan, Deng Zhi, and Huo Jun to take office.

These were the notable figures of Jingzhou that he could think of last night. Although more than half of them might not come, it’s better to try than to not try at all; as long as there’s some result, it will be worthwhile.

After arranging everything, the officials went about their business, leaving only the advisor Kuai Yue to discuss matters.

Liu Qi got straight to the point and said, “People reported that before yesterday’s banquet, you and Cai Mao met privately for a long time. Could it be that you are plotting against Governor Liu?”

Kuai Yue’s heart sank, but his expression remained unchanged: “General, do not listen to slander. My meeting with General Cai was merely to discuss seating arrangements; there was nothing else.”

“Oh?” Liu Qi fixed his gaze on Kuai Yue and said with a faint smile, “Could it be that you are arranging a seat for Zhao Yun?”

Kuai Yue’s heart raced; he couldn’t decipher how much Liu Qi truly knew. Stroking his beard, he replied, “Zhao Yun was not mentioned.”

“If this matter gets out, it might not be advantageous for the Kuai family!” Liu Qi ceased his probing and said with a smile, “Since you haven’t conspired with Cai Mao, please take care of the investigation into the Cai family affairs. How about that?”

After a moment of contemplation, Kuai Yue clasped his fists and said, “Understood!”

Once outside, Kuai Yue broke into a cold sweat. In the past, his conversations with Liu Qi, although scholarly, had been naive and compliant.

Today, however, Liu Qi’s gaze made him unable to look directly at him, as if he could see through everything. Though nothing was explicitly stated, Kuai Yue understood that this was Liu Qi’s warning.

Regardless, the Cai family was related by marriage to Liu Biao. Liu Qi couldn’t directly deal with this matter; being too lenient could leave hidden dangers, while being too harsh might attract criticism.

He had no choice but to handle this matter appropriately and distance himself from the Cai family so that Liu Qi would let bygones be bygones.

After witnessing yesterday’s decisive actions, the Kuai family had no other options.

After Kuai Yue left, Liu Qi perused the official documents on his desk, which included tax reports and plans for spring farming. He couldn’t make sense of them, so he decided to pass them to Liu Xian for handling.

“Hiss—” Suddenly seeing a letter, Liu Qi gasped and quickly picked it up.

Wasn’t this Xu Shu’s note?

The letter praised Liu Biao’s virtue, stating that all his subordinates were well-educated individuals, and that he felt his own talents were insufficient to write or discuss matters, expressing gratitude for the month of hospitality.

While it sounded polite, it actually revealed his disappointment in Liu Biao. Unsure how to leave without saying goodbye, he chose to leave a letter instead.

There were countless notable figures in Jingzhou; Liu Biao might not even glance at this letter. Yet, Xu Shu remained courteous, neither arrogant nor servile, showing himself to be a person of integrity.

Far better than those who quit at the slightest provocation without even completing their departure paperwork!

Noticing that the letter was dated three days ago, Liu Qi grew anxious and began to pace. He immediately ordered Huang Zhong to select ten men to accompany him out of the city.

Liu Pan hurried over to dissuade him, saying, “With the recent establishment in Xiangyang, there are many remnants of the Cai family. It’s unwise for the general to venture out; do not forget what happened with Sun Ce.”

Liu Qi smiled and replied, “With Han Sheng around, we will be safe.”

Liu Pan said, “Why must the general personally take action? Why not let me go instead?

“There’s no time to explain; I’ll go find him,” Liu Qi said, instructing Liu Pan to guard the city carefully before heading out.

There would surely be some unrest within Jingzhou, but as long as Liu Biao was alive and the Cai family was under control, there wouldn’t be any major upheaval.

Liu Pan commanded the troops, and with Wen Pin, Wang Wei, and Wei Yan maintaining order, everything was secure.

Liu Qi headed straight for Shuijing Mountain Villa with Huang Zhong. This trip was both to recruit talent and to gain some reputation.

If he relied solely on Liu Biao’s and his own prestige, even if he issued a recruitment order, those talented individuals might still be reluctant to come. He needed to impress them through action.

He also knew this journey could be dangerous, but at such times, chasing after Xu Shu would demonstrate his eagerness for talent.

Moreover, Shuijing Mountain Villa was a gathering place for outstanding individuals, similar to the Taiqiu Academy in Yingchuan. Several great talents were connected to this place, so making the trip to familiarize himself wouldn’t be a loss.

Along the way, he inquired with farmers and shepherds, and by noon, he arrived at Shuijing Mountain Villa. Dismounting at the entrance, Liu Qi announced his name and waited outside, faintly hearing the sound of a qin playing.

Soon, an ethereal-looking elder emerged, with white hair and a youthful face, his slender frame presenting a refined demeanor. He clasped his fists and said, “I did not know the young master was visiting; I apologize for not welcoming you properly.”

Liu Qi returned the greeting, saying, “I’m sorry for the intrusion; I have come in search of Xu Shu. Is he still at the villa?”

Sima Hui was somewhat surprised and invited Liu Qi inside, asking, “How did the young master deduce that Xu Shu would be here?”

Liu Qi smiled and replied, “I have long heard of the great reputation of Shuijing Mountain Villa, where talented individuals gather. I have been unable to visit due to illness. Since Xu Shu left Xiangyang with nowhere else to go, he is likely to come here. Even if he doesn’t, seeing your esteemed self would be sufficient comfort for me!”

“You flatter me!” Sima Hui shook his head with a smile. After taking his seat, he said, “Xu Shu did indeed visit the villa, but he only stayed for a day before going to Xinye to pay a visit to Governor Liu.”

“To Xinye?” Liu Qi’s expression changed slightly as he looked at Sima Hui.

Liu Bei was dead; how could he not know this news? Was Sima Hui deliberately testing him?

That crafty old man!

In a flash, he quickly adopted a mournful expression: “What you might not know, sir, is that my uncle was harmed by Cai Mao in Xiangyang yesterday.”

“Really?” Sima Hui was greatly shocked, his wine cup falling, comparable to a national-level actor.

Liu Qi nodded and said, “Although I have avenged my uncle, without him to protect Nanyang, Cao Cao will surely send troops to seize Jingzhou. I consider myself no match for him; I have issued a recruitment order to safeguard our territory. I saw Xu Shu’s letter and came to pursue him, but alas, I was still a step too late.”

Sima Hui was stunned for a moment before sighing, Uncle Liu was known for his benevolence and his determination to restore the Han. I never expected he would meet his end at the hands of traitors.

Liu Qi said, “I recognize my own limitations and wish to fulfill my uncle’s ambition to support the Han dynasty, eliminate treachery, and achieve merit. I only regret my lack of talent for governing the world and hope you can guide me.”

Sima Hui stroked his beard and slowly replied, “Have you heard the children’s songs from the early Jian period in the counties? During the eighth and ninth years, the dynasty began to decline, and by the thirteenth year, it had no heirs left. In the end, fate has its return, and the dragon coiled in the mud rises to the sky.”

“Life is like a play, entirely based on skill!”

Liu Qi adopted a humble demeanor and clasped his fists, saying, “Please instruct me.”

Sima Hui continued, “In the eighth year of Jian’an, you lost your mother and were deceived by the Cai family; this is what is meant by ‘beginning to decline.’ As for ‘no heirs left,’ it seems your esteemed father may not have long to live, and both civil and military talents will dwindle without heirs. ‘Fate has its return’ and ‘the dragon rises to the sky’ should pertain to you!”

Liu Qi was overjoyed and quickly responded, “I feel unworthy of such praise; I only wish to protect Jingzhou and support the Han dynasty!”

Sima Hui stroked his beard again and remarked, “Xiangyang indeed has extraordinary talents,  if you can acquire one of them, you can stabilize the realm.”

Liu Qi clasped his fists and said, “To be honest, I have already sent someone to invite Kongming and Pang Tong.

“Eh?” Sima Hui, who had been wearing a mysterious expression, was taken aback upon hearing this. “You know of these two?”

Liu Qi sighed and said, “I grew up in Jingzhou; how could I remain oblivious to the matters outside? It’s just that I have been constrained by the oppression of the Cai family.

“Good, good.” Sima Hui pretended to be deep in thought, then suddenly clapped and laughed heartily, beginning to smooth things over.

Liu Qi expressed regret, saying, “It’s a pity to miss out on such talent. May I leave a poem here for those with insight?”

Since Xu Shu had already left, he couldn’t let the old man take all the credit alone—this was a great opportunity to make a name for himself.