Chapter 10, The Second Yielding of Xuzhou

Upon realizing this, Liu Bei quickly waved his hand and said more sincerely: "Lord Tao, you must not! Kong Wenju summoned me to rescue Xuzhou, and it was for righteousness. If I were to unjustly seize it now, the world would consider me a man without honor. Although I am not talented, I do not wish to bear the disgrace of being called unjust! Moreover, this time, the one who should be credited for the retreat of Cao's army is none other than Lord Tao's son. How could I have the face to take control of Xuzhou?"

"Ladies and gentlemen, please refrain from speaking for a moment and listen to my heartfelt words," Tao Qian said, bowing to the crowd. He continued in a clear voice: "Everyone, I am advanced in age, and my two sons are unworthy and unable to bear the heavy responsibilities of the state. Lord Xuande is of imperial lineage, possessing both virtue and talent, and is fit to govern Xuzhou. Therefore, I am willing to relinquish the position of Governor of Xuzhou to Lord Liu, and I request to retire and take care of my health. From today onward, the Governor of Xuzhou will no longer be an old man like me, but will be Lord Xuande!"

This fellow, is he truly speaking from the heart, or is he just trying to provoke me? Liu Bei felt puzzled and quietly glanced at Tao Ying. Seeing Tao Ying's sincere expression and earnest gaze, which did not seem feigned, Liu Bei was momentarily moved and thought to himself: Since Tao Qian and his sons are so sincere, why not agree? At most, once I have secured my position in Xuzhou, I can treat Tao Qian's two sons well.

"Lord Tao, you are too modest." Kong Rong, the twentieth descendant of Confucius, laughed heartily and said from the bottom of his heart: "If your son is also an unfilial child, then Kong Rong truly wishes that all his sons were such unfilial children. Lord Tao has such a heroic son; this is not only a blessing for you but also a blessing for Xuzhou. With a successor like you, Xuzhou will also have a successor!"

"Uncle is too modest." To everyone's astonishment, Tao Ying actually stood behind Tao Qian and cupped his hands towards Liu Bei, saying: "Uncle's benevolence is known throughout the world. The military and civilians of Xuzhou all know your great name, and they long for you as a drought-stricken seedling longs for rain, as a child longs for their parents. My father sincerely wishes to yield, and I hope that you will not decline, lest you disappoint the heartfelt expectations of the people of Xuzhou for you.

"The two gentlemen have spoken, and their words have been heard." The illness of Tao Qian improved significantly overnight. He humbly expressed his gratitude, yet his old eyes nearly squinted into a line of joy as he stroked his completely white goat beard and said: "This unfilial son, yesterday he rashly left the city to deliver a message, almost scaring the old man’s three souls and six spirits away. If it were not for the blessings of the two gentlemen and Lord Xuande, the old man would certainly not have been able to see this unfilial son again"

What the third brother said is indeed correct; we, as brothers, truly cannot accept Xuzhou. I kindly ask Lord Tao to retract his command. Guan Yu also stepped forward to support this statement—although Guan Yu greatly hoped that his sworn brother could have a territory to establish himself, he had witnessed the tragic scene yesterday where Tao and the librarian sacrificed themselves to save Xuzhou. Therefore, whether Tao's relinquishment of Xuzhou is sincere or feigned, Guan Yu felt it inappropriate to persuade his elder brother to accept Xuzhou.

The young nephew expresses gratitude to the three uncles for their life-saving grace. The eldest brother, Tao Shang, being the most honest, obediently kneels and bows his head, thanking Kong Rong, Tian Kai, and Liu Bei, who is only a few years older than him.

In this situation, Tao Ying surprisingly agreed with Tao Qian's proposal to cede Xuzhou to Liu Bei. There are only two possible explanations for this: one is that Tao Ying had self-awareness and understood that he could not firmly hold the position of Xuzhou Governor, genuinely willing to relinquish it; the other explanation is that Tao Ying was simply an irredeemable fool

Forget it, let's stay. If we leave, we might never have another chance!" Liu Bei gritted his teeth and stamped his foot, making up his mind. He cupped his hands towards Tao Qian and said: "Since you have invited me so sincerely, it would be pretentious of me to decline any further. I will agree to it. I will lead the troops out of the city tomorrow and relocate to Xiaopei!"

While the heart may be tempted, the self-discipline of Liu Bei is strong enough to prevent him from being overwhelmed by greed. Liu Bei is acutely aware that the person most grateful for Cao Cao's withdrawal this time is the second son of the Tao family, Tao Ying. If he were to simply take over the position of Governor of Xuzhou, he would not only be accused of usurpation but also lose the support of the people of Xuzhou. Therefore, Liu Bei quickly changed his mind and resolutely shook his head, saying: "No, Liu Bei vows not to engage in unjust acts! I implore Lord Tao to choose a worthy person for this position!"

Upon hearing Mi Fang's words, Tao Ji, Cao Hong, and Cao Bao, loyal ministers of the Tao family, all displayed anger on their faces. Tao Qian, Mi Zhu, and Chen Gui, father and son, remained composed, while the honest and simple Tao Shang was at a loss, unwilling to see his father cede Xuzhou to Liu Bei, yet lacking the courage to voice his opposition. The two important guests, Kong Rong and Tian Kai, exchanged glances but remained silent—Kong Rong was reluctant to meddle and offend others, while Tian Kai, as a subordinate of Gongsun Zan, hoped for Liu Bei, who had a close relationship with Gongsun Zan, to take control of Xuzhou and become a strong ally for Qingzhou, yet he found it inconvenient to casually express agreement.

"Xuzhou was saved, and my second brother should take the credit for it." Tao Ji felt somewhat dissatisfied, but since his father had passed away early, he relied entirely on his uncle Tao Qian for upbringing and held great respect for him. Therefore, no matter how dissatisfied Tao Ji was, he could only obediently kneel down and thank Kong Rong, Tian Kai, and Liu Bei. Tao Ying actually bowed more quickly than the two brothers, but he did not speak before his elder brother; he merely echoed his younger cousin Tao Ji.

"Good, the second young master is indeed a piece of rotten wood that cannot be carved. This makes things easier for me," Cao Bao thought to himself. "As long as I maintain a good relationship with the second young master, once he inherits the position of governor from the lord, Xu Province will be under my control."

"Lord Xuande, your kind invitation is truly appreciated, and I sincerely hope you will not decline it." The wealthiest man in Xuzhou, Mi Zhu, also spoke up to persuade him, subtly signaling Liu Bei to seize the opportunity and agree quickly. Meanwhile, Kong Rong, Tian Kai, and others also urged Liu Bei to accept Tao Qian's invitation to station troops in Xiaopei.

Zhao Yun is currently still a guest general under Liu Bei, and it is not appropriate for him to express his opinions openly. However, his demeanor strongly aligns with the views of Guan and Zhang, opposing Liu Bei's intention to take control of Xuzhou and seize Tao Qian's legacy. Liu Bei, feeling extremely frustrated, reluctantly said: "Lord Tao, Second Young Master, I appreciate your good intentions, but I cannot comply with this matter."

At this moment, the banquet was nearing its end. Tao Qian commanded his two sons and one nephew to step forward, pointing at the three seated at the head table: Kong Rong, Tian Kai, and Liu Bei. He ordered his sons and nephew, "You all kneel down. This time, Xu Province has suffered a terrible disaster, and it was entirely thanks to these three elders who sent troops to provide assistance that the siege of Xu Province was lifted and your lives were saved. Should you not quickly bow your heads and express your gratitude to your three uncles?"

"Lord Xuande, please stay." The father and son, Chen Gui and Chen Deng, who had remained silent until now, also stepped forward to earnestly persuade Liu Bei to stay—there was no other choice. The forces of Xuzhou had suffered significant losses in the Battle of Sishui, and the independent Zang Ba's troops in Kaiyang were unreliable, only responding to their own commands. At this critical moment, they could not be counted on. In this chaotic era of rising warlords, the Chen father and son, whose family interests were entirely within Xuzhou, desperately needed a competent watchdog.

On the noon of the second day, Kong Rong and the two reinforcements led by Tian Kai arrived outside Xuzhou City. Kong and Tian ordered their troops to camp outside the city, bringing only a dozen attendants into the city. Tao Qian personally led his two sons and a nephew to greet them, inviting Tian Kai and Kong Rong to his home for a banquet, where Liu Bei and the civil and military officials of Xuzhou were all present to accompany them. During the banquet, the honest Kong Rong and Tian Kai, who had already heard of Deputy Director Tao's 'heroic deeds,' could not help but praise Tao profusely, repeatedly congratulating him on his excellent upbringing of his son, who was not only brave but also responsible, truly making others envious.

Xuan ... ... '' Mi Fang still wanted to persist, but was quietly pulled back by Mi Zhu, forcing him to close his crow's mouth

Should I accept or not? Liu Bei pondered, If I stay and garrison at Xiaopei, it would be like being a watchdog for that old fox Tao. It would be fine if Cao's troops do not come, but if that bandit Cao goes and then returns, I would be pushed forward by that old fox Tao to confront the bandit Cao in vain. However, if I do not stay, all my previous efforts...

Cao Lao Da's reputation is still quite good; when he said he would withdraw his troops, he truly did so. After pulling back his forces from under the walls of Xuzhou, he immediately broke camp and retreated towards Yanzhou, moving particularly swiftly. That very night, he had retreated into the territory of Liuxian, and the once precarious situation of Xuzhou's state capital, Pengcheng, was finally turned from danger to safety. After confirming this news multiple times, the overjoyed Tao Qian sent someone overnight to deliver a letter, inviting Kong Rong, the Governor of Beihai, and Tian Kai, the Inspector of Qingzhou, to move their troops into the city to jointly celebrate the lifting of the siege on Xuzhou.

Tao Ying, did you really not hear what Kong Beihai said? Or are you pretending not to hear? Liu Bei was also puzzled in his heart, quietly paying attention to Tao Ying, while our Deputy Director Tao was only focused on chatting with Tao Ji, discussing matters of hunting and leisure, completely ignoring Kong Rong's previous remarks. Upon seeing this, Liu Bei couldn't help but feel wary, thinking, "If this person is not naturally dull-witted, then he is exceptionally cunning! Far surpassing Cao the Thief!"

What? Many people exclaimed in surprise, their expressions filled with astonishment. Tao Ji and Cao Hong, along with Cao Bao and other trusted aides of Tao Qian, were so shocked that they jumped up, all thinking to themselves that their lord had gone mad. Why would he repeatedly cede Xuzhou to Liu Bei?

"Uncle, Xu Zhou cannot be without you!" Tao Ying suddenly knelt down on both knees, hugging Liu Bei's legs and crying out loud: "The world is in chaos today, bones are exposed in the fields, there is not a single rooster crowing for a thousand miles, the people of Xu Zhou are suffering greatly from the ravages of war, my father is old and frail, and I, Tao Ying, am incompetent and unable to protect Xu Zhou. I rely entirely on your formidable presence to safeguard the lives of the countless people in Xu Zhou!"

The banquet hall was utterly silent, with nearly everyone staring at Tao Ying as if he were an alien, all feeling a sense of bewilderment akin to that of a person unable to comprehend a profound truth. It is important to note that after Tao Ying selflessly jumped into the cauldron of oil to secure Cao Cao's retreat, his reputation in Xuzhou had reached a zenith that could only be described as being at the height of his powers. Upon his return to the city, nearly the entire population of Xuzhou turned out to welcome him, with soldiers and civilians lining the streets, collectively calling out 'Master Tao Ying' and offering countless acts of reverence. In the hearts of the military and civilians of Xuzhou, he was undoubtedly seen as the unequivocal heir to the position of Governor of Xuzhou.

Ladies and gentlemen, please be quiet, quiet down. " Tao Qian suddenly cupped his hands in salute to the crowd, as if he had something to say. The military and civil officials from various armies, who were enjoying drinks and engaging in lively conversation, all ceased their chatter and turned their attention to Tao Qian

"Thank you, Lord Xuande. With your assistance in Xuzhou, I can rest easy now." Tao Qian was overjoyed and quickly clasped his hands in gratitude. When he discreetly glanced at his son Tao Ying's expression, he saw the boy's face filled with joy and a sincere smile. This made Tao Qian even more puzzled, "Is my son truly foolish? Or is he pretending to be foolish? Hmm, it is time to have a serious talk with this foolish son."

Attention to Tao Ying's reaction was not solely from Tao Ying and Liu Bei. Upon hearing Kong Rong's sensitive remarks, Chen Gui and his son, as well as the Mi Zhu brothers, were also observing Tao Ying, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Additionally, Cao Bao and Cao Hong were present; one was the chief general of the Xuzhou army, and the other was Tao Qian's most trusted aide, naturally more concerned than anyone else about the issue of Tao Qian's heir. However, Tao Ying's response left most of them feeling both disappointed and puzzled, unable to discern whether Tao Ying was genuinely foolish, pretending to be foolish, or simply did not hear Kong Rong's words at all. Yet, there were also two individuals who secretly rejoiced.

"Ignorant child, what are you laughing foolishly about? Do you still wish to take credit for this?" Tao Qian had unknowingly walked to the side of Tao Ying and Liu Bei, scolding his son: "Do you really think that Cao Cao's withdrawal from Xuzhou is solely due to your efforts as a mere young lad? Without Governor Kong, Inspector Tian, and Lord Xuande sending troops to Xuzhou, and without Lord Xuande breaking into Xuzhou, would Cao Cao have retreated so easily?"

The child does not dare. Tao Ying quickly lowered his head to apologize, and Liu Bei also hurriedly expressed humility

Having said that, Liu Bei paid close attention to Tao Ying's reaction, only to see Tao Ying grinning foolishly and remaining silent, as if he were both embarrassed by the praise and immensely pleased with himself. There was neither the insincere, slick humility of a sycophant nor the arrogance of a petty person who had just found success. Liu Bei observed carefully and found no flaws, and he couldn't help but feel a bit shaken inside, "Could it really be that he is just a foolish young man? A blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse?"

"Dear nephew, you should not cause trouble any longer." The one who broke the silence was Zhang Fei, also known as Zhang Yide, Liu Bei's sworn brother, who shouted loudly: "This time, the retreat of the Cao bandit was because of you. My elder brother is at most just helping out, so how could he feel comfortable taking over your family's Xuzhou? No need to be polite; Xuzhou currently belongs to Governor Tao, and in the future, it will be yours. I, Zhang Fei, have recognized you as my nephew!"

Did Tao Gongzu really intend to cede Xuzhou to me? Liu Bei was taken aback, never having considered that Tao Qian would actually propose to hand over Xuzhou to him. However, upon further reflection, Liu Bei quickly came to a realization, thinking to himself that Tao Qian was not as loyal and honest as he was reputed to be. He had previously suggested ceding Xuzhou to me, and now that the Cao army had retreated, if he chose to feign ignorance and remain silent, the world would surely criticize him for being ungrateful and for burning bridges. By bringing this matter up publicly, he not only silenced the voices of the people but also placed me in a position where I could not possibly accept it.

The old fox, it turns out, has been waiting for me here! Liu Bei finally came to his senses, thinking: "No wonder that old Tao Qian keeps squeezing Xuzhou; it turns out he wants me to be his watchdog! Xiaopei, that is the frontline against Cao Cao's invasion from the south! If that old thief Cao Cao returns, I will immediately become the target in Xuzhou!"

"Indeed, he is a fool. Lord Xuande and my elder brother are truly overly cautious. What is there to fear from a fool who happened to be fortunate enough to save Xuzhou?" Thus thought Mi Fang

"Three esteemed nephews, please rise quickly." Kong Rong, Tian Kai, and Liu Bei stood up together, each going to assist the three brothers of the Tao family. Liu Bei stepped forward first to support Tao Ying, smiling as he said: "Nephew need not be so courteous. This time, the siege of Xuzhou was resolved entirely thanks to your brave solo venture into Cao's camp, persuading Lord Cao to withdraw his troops. You should be credited with the primary merit; I, Liu Bei, have no accomplishments to speak of, how could I dare to accept such great courtesy from you, nephew"

"Lord Xuande." Mi Fang, feeling somewhat anxious, could not help but stand up and say, "The Han dynasty is in decline, and the world is in chaos. Establishing a great cause is imperative at this moment. Xuzhou is affluent, with a population of one million. It is imperative that Lord Xuande takes this opportunity and does not decline it." As he spoke, Mi Fang subtly cast a glance at Liu Bei, thinking to himself that Lord Xuande should accept this offer quickly. Tao Ying's reputation is on the rise, and if you do not seize this opportunity, you may not have another chance in the future.

Tao Qian humbly looked around to gauge the reactions of the crowd. He noticed that his eldest son, Tao Shang, who was most qualified to inherit the position of Governor of Xuzhou, was grinning foolishly, seemingly unbothered by Kong Rong's praise of his brother, and appeared quite pleased. Tao Qian nodded slightly and then discreetly glanced at Liu Bei, who was smiling and seemed to agree with Kong Rong's opinion. Finally, Tao Qian quietly looked at his second son, Tao Yingshi, only to find him chatting and drinking with his cousin, Tao Ji, as if he had not heard Kong Rong's words at all. Tao Qian couldn't help but feel puzzled, "Is my foolish son truly unaware, or is he pretending not to hear?" He glanced at Liu Bei again, who was still smiling and appeared to support Kong Rong's view. Once more, he looked at his second son, Tao Yingshi, who was still engaged in conversation with his cousin, seemingly oblivious to Kong Rong's remarks. Tao Qian was left wondering, "Is my foolish son genuinely not listening, or is he feigning ignorance?"

Kong Beihai has been overly praised, overly praised. My son is mediocre; how could he possibly deserve the kind of praise that Kong Beihai has received

"If Lord Xuande were to abandon me and leave, I would die with my eyes unclosed!" Tao Qian cried out, repeatedly urging Liu Bei to accept Xuzhou. However, Liu Bei firmly refused. In the end, Tao Qian had no other choice but to change his approach, saying: "Since Lord Xuande is resolute in his refusal, I have another idea. There is a nearby town called Xiaopei, which is suitable for garrisoning troops. Would it be acceptable for Lord Xuande to temporarily station his army there?"

"Uncle, Mi Zhizhong's words are indeed reasonable," Tao Ying unexpectedly stated once again. "Uncle is a hero of the world and should rightfully take charge of Xuzhou to showcase his talents. It is far better for my father to cede Xuzhou to you than to pass it on to my younger brother a thousand times over!"