Chapter 13: Big-Eared Brother, Zhao Yun and Tian Yu Are Trying to Escape!

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Just the thought of Chen Deng, a like-minded ally who had always offered wholehearted support, made him deeply worried that a marriage alliance with Cao Bao would estrange Chen Yuanlong from him.

Seeing Liu Bei’s solemn expression and silence, Liu Feng smiled bitterly to himself.

They had already spoken so plainly, yet Liu Bei still hesitated out of consideration for Chen Deng’s feelings.

On the other hand, this was understandable—after all, Chen Deng was probably the first first-rate scholar to truly believe in Liu Bei, trust him, and invest in him.

However, Liu Feng had long made up his mind: this matter must be carried through.

Since everything was now on the table, Liu Feng was determined not to give up until he achieved his goal.

Thus, Liu Feng resolved to apply some pressure on his elder brother.

“Father, do you know that Uncle Zilong and Uncle Guoruo are planning to leave?”

“What!?”

Just moments ago able to keep his composure, Liu Bei’s face finally collapsed. He stared at Liu Feng in shock, disbelief written all over his face.

Historically, Zhao Yun had left Liu Bei after he took control of Xuzhou, citing his elder brother’s death as a reason. Tian Yu had departed even earlier, leaving under the pretext of returning home to care for his elderly mother after Liu Bei decided to move to Xuzhou.

Now, thanks to Liu Feng’s subtle influence, they had not left yet, but Liu Feng knew that without greater changes, Tian Yu would eventually depart.

“Zilong and Guoruo want to leave? Why have I not heard of this?”

Liu Feng answered seriously, “That is precisely your fault, Father.”

“My fault?”

Liu Bei was first surprised, then suddenly remembered something and grew uneasy, clearly recalling some oversight.

Liu Feng showed no mercy and exposed his father’s shortcomings bluntly: “A few days ago, Father divided the six thousand soldiers into three units. Aside from your personal command of the central army, the other two units were entrusted to Second and Third Uncles respectively, who were appointed as captains.

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Uncle Zilong and Uncle Guoruo have followed you through thick and thin, never abandoning you during the lowest points, demonstrating true loyalty. Yet now that you have taken the governorship, you treat them as if they were invisible, granting them no promotions.

Do they not feel that you only want them in hardship, but not in prosperity?”

Liu Bei’s expression changed repeatedly before he finally forced out a bitter smile. “I only have just over six thousand troops, the battles in Xuzhou have just ended, and there is absolutely no money or supplies. Since your Second and Third Uncles were the earliest to follow me, I cannot treat them poorly.”

“That is not what I mean,” Liu Feng stabbed sharply, “Your words are true, but currently there are four thousand elite soldiers available. Can you really do nothing, just watch Uncle Zilong and Uncle Guoruo grow cold and abandon you? You must realize that this is an era of great contention; not only does the ruler choose his ministers, but ministers can also choose their lords!”

“Father, your original followers are already thinning out. The main pillars are just Uncles Guan and Zhang, Uncle Jian, and Uncles Zhao and Tian. If you lose two more, what talents will you have left? You must not wait until Uncle Zilong and Uncle Guoruo leave before regretting it.”

Liu Bei was silent for a moment, then sighed deeply. “What you say is right, I have indeed neglected Uncle Zilong and Uncle Guoruo. They have followed me through danger, marching south and north, shedding blood on the battlefield, sharing hardships without complaint. Now that I govern Xuzhou, I cannot treat them unfairly.”

Liu Bei had to admit he was truly moved.

These four thousand soldiers were organized and equipped; under Cao Bao’s command, he had to feed and maintain them. Now, transferring them to Liu Bei’s command meant gaining four thousand troops without any cost, while Cao Bao lost the same number. The balance of power instantly shifted by eight thousand troops.

Moreover, if the marriage alliance went through, Cao Bao would become a relative of the Liu family, and Liu Bei’s forces would completely outweigh the Danyang faction.

At last, Liu Bei made his decision. If necessary, he would personally apologize to Chen Deng just to keep these four thousand men and retain Zhao Yun and Tian Yu.

Once resolved, Liu Bei regained his calm and asked, “Then, Feng’er, what do you suggest I do?”

Liu Feng had already prepared a plan and presented it, “Father, I propose dividing the four thousand troops into three units: two units of fifteen hundred each under Uncle Zilong and Uncle Guoruo, both appointed as captains to hold key counties. The remaining thousand can be entrusted to me. The talents I requested you to recruit earlier should be arriving soon, and once assembled, I can put them to use.”

After Liu Bei took over Xuzhou, Liu Feng had sent a letter ahead requesting recruitment orders to summon several promising individuals.

The first among them was Lu Su, Lu Zijing, from Dongcheng in Linhuai. Also included were Chen Jiao from Guangling Dongyang, Liu Ye from Huainan Chengde, Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin from Xiaocai in Jiujiang, and Xu Sheng from Ju in Langya.

However, Zhuge Xuan was not among them—not because Liu Feng disliked Zhuge Wuhou, but because Zhuge Xuan did not believe in Liu Bei. Even if summoned, he would likely reject the offer. Liu Feng had to devise other plans for him, to be reported later.

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Among these people, Lu Su was a rare talent, both virtuous and capable, with unwavering loyalty—Liu Feng’s top recommendation for Liu Bei to acquire at all costs.

Of the others, Liu Ye was the most uncertain.

Although intelligent, farsighted, and strategically talented, historically he was incompatible with the elder brother; as a member of the Liu clan, he was firmly aligned with Cao Cao. He was not tempted by Sun family’s offers and even advised Cao Cao to eliminate Liu Bei to prevent future troubles.

As for Chen Jiao, Zhou Tai, Jiang Qin, and Xu Sheng, their success depended on two key factors: skill and speed.

Historically, Zhou Tai, Jiang Qin, and Xu Sheng had joined Sun Quan in Jiangdong about a year earlier. Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin were from the same hometown and entered Sun Quan’s service together.

Chen Jiao was from Guangling and had taken refuge in Jiangdong but ultimately refused the recruitment offers from Yuan Shu and Sun Ce, returning home instead.

This talent, once Liu Bei held Xuzhou firmly, would sooner or later enter his service even if not recruited immediately.

Lu Su, the king’s right-hand talent; Liu Ye, a strategic genius; Chen Jiao, a ministerial talent; and Zhou Tai, Jiang Qin, Xu Sheng, along with Pan Zhang, who already followed Liu Feng—all were military talents.

If Liu Bei could bring them all into his fold as trusted aides, his Yuan-Cong faction’s strength would grow tremendously, truly becoming a triad to balance the Xuzhou and Danyang factions.

This was Liu Feng’s strategic plan for his elder brother.

Liu Bei, as a regional hero, though only moderately capable in many respects, was adept at employing talent and receptive to advice. Especially regarding talents, he was eager. He approved all of Liu Feng’s requests and even added thirty percent more rewards, showing his sincere desire to attract talent.

Liu Bei nodded. His forces were sparse and usable men few, mostly local Xuzhou scholars and Danyang warriors, leaving him deeply uneasy at heart.