Chapter 10: The Encounter in Xu Du

Jia Renlu, as if drinking fine wine, had a flushed face and awkwardly said: "I was a bit too excited just now, causing the general to laugh at me." He then picked up the tea, took a couple of sips, and continued: "Zhongde's invitation this time, Xu Yuanzhi will definitely not come. But who is Cheng Zhongde, that he can be so easily dismissed? Earlier, Xu Yuanzhi avenged a friend by killing someone, and he barely escaped with his life, leaving an elderly mother at home, who is now without anyone to care for her. Zhongde will surely devise a plan to lure his mother to Xudu, and then have her write a letter summoning her son. Xu Yuanzhi is a man of great filial piety; upon receiving the letter, he will certainly come." Earlier, Xu Yuanzhi avenged a friend by killing someone, and he barely escaped with his life, leaving an elderly mother at home, who is now without anyone to care for her. Zhongde will surely devise a plan to lure his mother to Xudu, and then have her write a letter summoning her son. Xu Yuanzhi is a man of great filial piety; upon receiving the letter, he will certainly come.

Jia Renlu understood the art of deception, and the time for chaotic advertising had arrived again. He searched his body restlessly, looking left and right, but despite searching all over, he could not find a single louse. He thought to himself: "Sister Diao Chan, you have cleaned me too thoroughly! In the past, Wang Meng felt for lice while discussing the world, thus creating a famous tale. Today, I intend to emulate the ancients... Let future generations witness the tale of Renlu feeling for lice and recommending Yuan Zhi, so that it may be recorded in history, shining alongside Wang Meng. However, it seems the lice are not cooperating... Alas, which kind-hearted louse, please come closer to me... After this performance, I will surely give you a wonderfully melodious name, just like 'Little Strong' from Zhou's blockbuster, to be remembered through the ages. From now on, your name will become synonymous with lice, wouldn't that be splendid? I beg you, please come quickly!" He prayed fervently, yet the lice still did not cooperate, not even half a one appeared.

Jia Renlu: "Xu Yuanzhi's only weakness is the character 'filial piety.' This should be thoroughly exploited. If Zhongde truly acts according to this plan, Xu's mother will certainly come first. At that time, the general can visit frequently, offer greetings, and build rapport. The general is of noble lineage from the Han dynasty, bearing the great responsibility of restoring the Han dynasty, and treats others with respect, earning a reputation for benevolence. Xu's mother already holds the general in high regard, and the general can take this opportunity to promote himself in front of her, showcasing his boundless charm and imposing stature. The general is of noble lineage from the Han dynasty, bearing the great responsibility of restoring the Han dynasty, and treats others with respect, earning a reputation for benevolence. Xu's mother already holds the general in high regard, and the general can take this opportunity to promote himself in front of her, showcasing his boundless charm and imposing stature. Furthermore, recount your pitiable background and express your earnest desire for talent, thus earning some sympathy. When Xu Yuanzhi arrives, although Xu's mother may resent her son for straying from the right path, with a wise leader like the general before her, how could she possibly take her own life? She will surely advise her son to ally with the general. Xu Yuanzhi, fearing to disobey his mother's wishes and ashamed of Cao Cao's actions, will undoubtedly lend his heartfelt support to the general. When Xu Yuanzhi arrives, although Xu's mother may resent her son for straying from the right path, with a wise leader like the general before her, how could she possibly take her own life? She will surely advise her son to ally with the general. Xu Yuanzhi, fearing to disobey his mother's wishes and ashamed of Cao Cao's actions, will undoubtedly lend his heartfelt support to the general. If the general still has concerns, when Xu Yuanzhi arrives, the general can visit to prevent any unforeseen circumstances."

This statement is both reasonable and heartfelt. Liu Bei, unaware that the other party had already grasped the future situation, believed he had found a rare and great talent. He hurriedly bowed and requested: "Your words have opened my mind, allowing me to see the clear sky through the clouds. My name is humble and my virtue is shallow; I hope you will not disdain my lowly status and come out to assist me. I will certainly listen attentively to your wise teachings. Furthermore, Cao Cao has bestowed upon you a beautiful gift, but his intentions are not good. How can you remain here, content to be a mere pawn?" My name is humble and my virtue is shallow; I hope you will not disdain my lowly status and come out to assist me. I will certainly listen attentively to your wise teachings. Furthermore, Cao Cao has bestowed upon you a beautiful gift, but his intentions are not good. How can you remain here, content to be a mere pawn?

Jia Renlu said: "He is not here now"

Liu Bei, intrigued by his mysterious words, hurriedly said: "When will this great sage arrive? I will certainly go out thirty miles to welcome him."

Jia Renlu took another sip of tea and said: "Xu Yuanzhi's lifelong shortcoming is 'filial piety'; this shortcoming will harm him throughout his life"

Liu Bei is currently eager to recruit talent, welcoming all who come. Hearing the lively discussion, he hurriedly said: "I am unaware of where this esteemed person is at present; I hope you can inform me so that I may personally pay my respects."

Jia Renlu said: "Am I not aware of Cao Cao's intentions? I have long wished to follow the General, but the time was not right. However, it is still not the right moment; I ask the General to conceal his brilliance and wait patiently for the opportune time. Rest assured, the opportunity will not be long in coming, and the General will surely obtain Xuzhou. When that time comes, if the General does not mind my humble words, I would be grateful for a slight promotion."

Jia Renlu spoke leisurely, saying: "General, please rest assured, Xu Yuanzhi will definitely come and will certainly be of use to you."

Liu Bei said: "From your expression, it is evident that you have a well-thought-out plan. I kindly ask you to impart your wisdom."

Jia Renlu was not originally someone from the background of the eight-legged essay; he could hardly utter three sentences of that flowery, ornate language. His lack of vocabulary became evident, and his limited skills were exposed, revealing the foundation of his illiteracy. Colloquialisms and nonsensical remarks slipped out effortlessly. This passage, a mix of ancient and modern styles with profound wording, left Liu Bei utterly perplexed. After a long while, he began to grasp the general idea, and could not help but feel a deep respect for this unfathomable sage before him. He respectfully said, "What you say is absolutely correct. If Xu's mother were to come, I would personally go out of the city to welcome her, constantly inquiring about her well-being, treating her as my own mother."

Upon thinking of this, I said: "Since the general has repeatedly invited me, I shall present my humble thoughts. Whether they are golden words of wisdom or mere nonsense, it is for the general to decide. If there is anything inappropriate in my discourse, I kindly ask the general to overlook it with a smile"

Liu Bei nodded and said: "I saw him hurriedly leaving your place, but I wonder what the matter is?"

In the past, every time he read "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," he felt a deep sympathy for Xu Shu. He thought to himself: "This man, possessing extraordinary wisdom and strategies, is surely no less talented than Pang Tong, yet he finds himself in a tragic situation, caught in Cao's camp while his heart remains with Han, unable to offer his counsel throughout his life. Yesterday, by chance, I inadvertently brought him into the conversation, and today, Liu Da-da has come again. Now, even if I were to offer Liu Da-da a firefly, he would regard it as a moon to worship, let alone Xu Shu, who is indeed a bright moon. It would be just the right idea to have Xu Shu accompany him. This way, Liu Da-da's likelihood of allegiance would increase significantly, and I could then follow Liu Da-da without worry or hesitation."

Jia Renlu assumed the posture of a storyteller, raised a chess piece, and with a sharp crack, struck it down forcefully, as if to awaken a wooden puppet, exclaiming, "General, do not be anxious, let me explain slowly!" However, he exerted too much force and hit his finger, causing immediate pain. He hurriedly dropped the chess piece, placed his finger to his mouth, and kept blowing on it, muttering, "It hurts!" He thought to himself, "It seems that being a storyteller is not so easy; it requires practice..."

Jia Renlu took a sip of tea and asked, "Did you see Cheng Yu when you arrived, General?"

Jia Renlu said: "All generals are aware of this point, so how could Xu Shu, a great sage, not know? As the saying goes: 'A good bird chooses a tree to perch on, and a wise minister chooses a master to serve.' Such a great sage cannot simply follow whoever invites him; otherwise, he would become nothing more than a sycophant"

Jia Renlu said: "Rest assured, General, Xu Yuanzhi's mother is an upright person and would not shame herself by calling for her son on behalf of Cao Gong. Zhongde is very loyal to Cao Gong and does not wish to see such a talented individual fall into the hands of others. If that happens, it would be difficult to manage when he becomes an enemy of Cao Gong. To assist Cao Gong, one may inevitably resort to unscrupulous means, employing deceitful tactics, and forging letters from his mother to summon Yuanzhi. When Yuanzhi's mother sees that he has been deceived and has wasted his talents, she will surely be filled with shame and anger, leading her to take her own life. Xu Yuanzhi will also carry this grievance for the rest of his life."

Jia Renlu said: "He is indeed going to invite Xu Yuanzhi. Cao Gong is already aware of Xu Yuanzhi's abilities, so he instructed Zhongde to extend the invitation." He thought: "Zhuge Dada, it is not that I do not wish to recommend you, but your demeanor is simply too grand. It is certainly not feasible to not personally extend the invitation. Liu Bei definitely cannot go to Xiangyang at present, so how can he seek your guidance in person? I think it is better to wait until Liu Dada finds it difficult to continue and escapes to Xiangyang. You should first be at ease and work as a farmer for a few years, cultivate some land, and learn a bit of 'Zhi Hu Zhe Ye' before we discuss this further."

Jia Renlu thought to himself: "I have brought this idea forward by nearly ten years; I wonder if it will still work. However, seeing Cheng Yu's resolute demeanor yesterday, full of confidence, it is highly likely he will resort to such underhanded tactics. In this chaotic world where survival is paramount, there is certainly no foolproof strategy, and it seems we must all take a gamble. If it does not work out, I can always spout some nonsense to cover it up; after all, this is my forte, and I doubt even Zhuge Liang would be my match."

Jia Renlu said mysteriously: "He will arrive soon. Once this person comes, he will be able to change the fate of the nation and alter the course of events. If the general misses this person, it would truly be a case of 'losing an opportunity right before one's eyes'"

Liu Bei observed him groping around aimlessly, muttering to himself in a bewildered manner, and with a look of astonishment, he asked: "Sir, what is the matter with you?"

Jia Renlu thought: "There is no way to escape this now. Liu Dada, please stop pressuring me; I am not Zhuge Dada, and I cannot come up with a strategic plan like the Longzhong Plan. Moreover, from now until Wolong emerges from the abyss, I will have to be a nationwide fugitive for nearly ten years. I certainly cannot speak the truth about this... Wait, is it really impossible to change history? After all, I am well-versed in the Three Kingdoms, knowing all the major and minor events. Perhaps I can take preventive measures in advance to help Liu Bei avoid misfortune and seek good fortune."

Liu Bei listened to him speak with such emotion and reason, and he was greatly concerned about the fate of Xu Shu's mother, exclaiming: "What should be done in such a situation?"

At that time, Cao Cao was in Henan and Yuan Shao in Hebei, two tigers unwilling to yield to each other, and sooner or later there would be a fierce battle. This is the moment for heroes to display their martial prowess. If the general were to miss such a great opportunity, wasting time and allowing his flesh to grow flabby, would it not be a pity

Liu Bei looked bewildered and said, "I have never heard anyone mention this before. How does this person's talent compare to that of the gentleman?"

Liu Bei said: "Please, sir, go ahead."

Liu Bei nearly spat out his tea and exclaimed, "Filial piety is a virtue of humanity; how can it be considered a shortcoming?"

Jia Renlu pondered for a moment, then picked up the tea, took a sip, and said: "In today's world, various heroes are rising. Yuan Shao, with his four generations of three dukes, sits on the wealth of Hebei, and the only rival in the north is Gongsun Zan. Gongsun Zan neither knows how to employ people nor cares for the people's strength; he only knows how to build watchtowers and stockpile grain. Does he not realize that without the people's support, no matter how high the towers are or how abundant the grain is, it will be of no use? This man will inevitably be captured by Yuan Shao sooner or later. By then, Yuan Shao will possess the four provinces of Ji, Qing, You, and Bing, and his power will indeed be unassailable."

Jia Renlu solemnly remarked: "I am merely a small pawn, how can I dare to compare myself with him? If I were to liken myself to the light of a firefly, then Xu Yuanzhi would be the brightness of the full moon. Truly, one is in the heavens and the other on the ground, incomparable. " He thought to himself: "Alas, such a great opportunity with a fine talent is wasted, what a pity. Xu Yuanzhi, oh Xu Yuanzhi, if you follow Liu Dada, you must thank me properly. If the gold is less than 50,000 taels, I suggest you find a rope and hang yourself, to spare me the embarrassment of receiving you!" Xu Yuanzhi, oh Xu Yuanzhi, if you follow Liu Dada, you must thank me properly. If the gold is less than 50,000 taels, I suggest you find a rope and hang yourself, to spare me the embarrassment of receiving you!

Liu Bei angrily said: "Under the guise of being a minister of the Han, he is in fact a traitor to the Han. What is there to ask about?"

Jia Renlu did not answer his question, but instead asked in return: "What kind of person do you think Cao Gong is?"

Cao Cao has recently defeated Lü Bu, and he is now firmly established in Henan. He has taken the Emperor hostage to command the feudal lords, and the only enemy remaining in the north of the Yangtze River is Yuan Shu. This bandit is even worse than Gongsun Zan; he does not consider the people's sentiments or the situation. Having obtained a jade seal, he dares to recklessly declare himself emperor. It is said that he indulges in extravagance and debauchery in Huainan, causing the people to suffer from hunger and hardship, without any concern for their welfare. Sooner or later, the populace will rebel, and Huainan will inevitably fall into Cao Cao's hands.

Liu Bei felt even more regret and sighed, "Alas, if this is the case, Xu Yuanzhi will not come!"

Jia Renlu said: "Earlier, it was mentioned that Yuan Shu lacks the support of the people, and sooner or later, this will incite a popular uprising. With nowhere to turn, Yuan Shu will inevitably seek refuge with Yuan Shao. The general can use the pretext of intercepting Yuan Shu to request troops from Cao Cao, thereby seizing Xuzhou. By establishing a foothold in Xuzhou, one can observe the fierce competition between Yuan and Cao. When the opportunity arises, one can take advantage of the chaos, fish in troubled waters, and it is not impossible to carve out a territory and raise troops to eliminate the bandits."

Liu Bei said: "This plan is indeed quite ruthless. Xu Yuanzhi, due to his elderly mother being there, will inevitably have to follow Cao Cao. How can he be of use to me?"

Upon hearing that even Cao Cao had sent for him, Liu Bei thought that this person must be exceptional. Seeing such a talented individual likely to fall into Cao Cao's hands, he felt a deep sense of regret and said: "Since Lord Cao has already sent someone to invite him, he will surely serve under Lord Cao. How can he be of use to me any longer"

Liu Bei, seeing that he spoke with such seriousness, hurriedly asked: "Who is it?"

Liu Bei was momentarily taken aback upon hearing the sound of the "wake-up wood". Just as he was about to humbly seek guidance, he caught sight of the comical figure of the person blowing their fingers haphazardly, and could not help but shake his head and smile wryly

Liu Bei had just taken a sip of tea and nearly spat it out upon hearing those words, puzzled as he asked, "Why does the gentleman mention this person?"

Liu Bei said: "What you have said is absolutely correct. What should we do in this case?"

Jia Renlu, upon hearing this, felt a surge of blood to his face, turning it as red as a jujube. With a two-foot-long false beard affixed, he could easily impersonate Guan Yu outside the door. He cleared his throat and said, "It's nothing! Just a bit of an itch for a moment, I scratched it, and I hope the general finds it amusing." He then extended a finger, adopting an air of someone who knows the past three hundred years and the future five hundred, and with a serious expression declared, "This person is Xu Shu, also known as Xu Yuanzhi from Yingchuan."

Liu Bei urged, "I am eager to know how to restore the Han dynasty. Since Yuan Zhi has not yet arrived, I hope you, esteemed sir, will not hesitate to impart your wisdom and enlighten this foolish one."