Chapter 58: Xu Sheng Submits, Kong Rong Receives (Seeking Continued Reading!)

At this moment, Kong Rong, having experienced several dramatic ups and downs, still felt somewhat dazed, absent-minded, and at a loss.

It had been extremely perilous; he had almost met a tragic death under the butcher knives of the Mount Tai bandits. Fortunately, Liu Belief's soldiers had arrived in time, pulling him back from the gates of the netherworld.

Otherwise, he, Kong Wenju, the dignified twentieth-generation descendant of Confucius, would have met his end right here today.

Wang Xiu led Zhao Yun to meet Kong Rong.

"Lord of Beihai, I am Zhao Yun, a separate division commander under Lord Liu. Following my master's orders, I have come to intercept and slay Yin Li."

"Never did I expect this rebellious scoundrel to startle the Lord of Beihai. This is Zhao Yun's crime!"

Recovering his wits, Kong Rong observed Zhao Yun. The man possessed a striking and dignified appearance; although a military man, he carried the gentle and refined bearing of a scholar, causing Kong Rong's favorable impression to multiply.

Sheathing his sword, Kong Rong returned the salute:

"General Zhao need not blame yourself. If not for the General's arrival today, I would have already perished at the hands of those bandits."

At the same time, he sighed inwardly at how truly extraordinary Liu Xuande was.

Despite governing Beihai for many years, he had been unable to ward off either the Yellow Turban bandits or the Mount Tai marauders.

Yet an unknown cavalry commander under Liu Belt's command could effortlessly crush these Mount Tai troops, putting Kong Rong to utter shame.

"……Ah, I wonder where Xuande is now?"

"My master has already left Juxian and should have arrived in Pixiang by now."

"It was our Military Strategist Li who deduced that Yin Li intended to head north to Qingzhou to raid and seize Beihai, which is why he ordered me to lead light cavalry in pursuit and travel day and night."

"Fortunately, we met in time. Seeing that the Lord of Beihai is safe and sound, Zhao Yun can finally rest easy. Otherwise, even dying ten thousand times would not absolve me of my fault."

Oh... Li Yi again?

Kong Rong stroked his beard. He had previously crossed paths with Li Yi once before.

At the time, he had merely considered him a youthful lad, wondering what methods he had used to earn such heavy trust and high position by Liu Bei's side.

Today, he had truly witnessed his capability.

Had it not been for Li Yi's meticulous scheming and tactical planning, he likely would have already died by the bandits' hands.

Kong Rong immediately cupped his fists:

"Then I must trouble General Zhao to lead the way. Once we reach Pixiang, I shall properly express my gratitude to Xuande for saving my life."

"Last time, I failed to converse at length with Mr. Li. Seeing him again today, I must truly appreciate the graceful demeanor of this gentleman!"

He openly admitted that his previous meeting with Li Yi had been marked by arrogance, as he had not taken the young man seriously.

This time, he was determined to make up for that past regret.

Zhao Yun immediately cupped his fists in return:

"That is precisely the purpose of my coming here."

"However, before that, Zhao Yun still has one question to ask."

"Please speak," Kong Rong blurted out.

"Before I left, the Strategist ordered me to escort someone to Xuzhou. That person is the mother of Taishi Ci. This subordinate does not know what she looks like, so the Strategist instructed me to ask the Lord of Beihai."

It was no secret that Kong Rong had taken meticulous care of Taishi Ci's mother, but Li Yi's access to intelligence was freakishly well-informed.

It could not help but send a shudder of secret shock through Kong Rong's heart.

"So the General is looking for the mother of Taishi Ziyi! That is easily done; her elderly ladyship is currently within our army."

"Oh, truly?" Zhao Yun was overjoyed.

If this were indeed the case, Zhao Yun would not only save time and effort, but he would also be able to safely escort her back to Xuzhou.

"Precisely so."

Kong Rong explained:

"The elderly lady usually lives a solitary and bitter life, and I often entrusted people to send her clothing and food. Later, when the Yellow Turban bandits besieged Beihai..."

"It was also her ladyship who urged her own son to come to the rescue of Beihai."

"Now that I have accepted Xuande's invitation to go to Xuzhou, worrying that she would have no one to care for her, I brought her along with us."

Kong Rong's intentions were purely kind; amid these chaotic times of war, remaining behind was indeed perilous.

Zhao Yun expressed his gratitude, but remaining meticulous in all his actions, he still requested to pay a visit to this esteemed elderly mother.

Only after confirming that the old woman was indeed the mother of Taishi Ci did he dare to safely escort Kong Rong and his entourage back to Xuzhou.

...

Liu Bei had received news in advance at Pixiang and personally led an army out of the city to welcome them.

"Xuande! Since our parting at Xiapi in the past, I never expected our reunion today would be under such circumstances."

Kong Rong had just emerged from the flames of war; stains of blood still marred his person, making him look thoroughly disheveled.

He bore no resemblance to the dashing, composed, and eloquently brilliant talented scholar of the past.

Yet Liu Bei looked deeply apologetic as he stepped forward and firmly grasped Kong Rong's hands.

"I failed to lead an army into Qingzhou to lift the siege for the Lord of Beihai, and almost caused the Lord of Beihai to be harmed by the bandits. I am truly ashamed."

"……Sigh, Xuande need not feel ashamed. Beihai was never a place to linger for long. Examining my own conscience, I have given my utmost strength during these years in Beihai, and my conscience is clear."

"If your men had not arrived in time, I would already have been separated from my head and body long ago. How could I still be here reminiscing with an old friend?"

Kong Rong was a man of reason and could fully understand Liu Bei's hidden difficulties.

Only then did Liu Bei heave a sigh of relief.

"By the way, I heard that the one who calculated Yin Li's movements this time was your military strategist?"

"I wonder if this is truly the case?"

Hearing this, the corners of Liu Bei's mouth rose involuntarily, a trace of pride flashing in his eyes.

Turning around, he pulled Li Yi forward and introduced him to Kong Rong:

"It is precisely our Mr. Li!"

Kong Rong looked Li Yi up and down, clicking his tongue in praise:

"I never imagined that you, young sir, would possess such king-assisting wisdom at such a tender age."

"Our last meeting was hurried, but observing you today, you truly possess the posture of a dragon, the bearing of a phoenix, and the countenance of the heavens."

Kong Rong had always favored scholars. Seeing that Li Yi's appearance and character were so exceptional, he naturally did not skimp on lavish words of praise.

He turned to Liu Bei and said:

"For you, Xuande, to be aided by such a rare talent is truly the favor of Heaven's Mandate. The Han Dynasty shall rise again, and peace shall be brought to the realm!"

"That is precisely what I aspire to throughout my life and the sincere desire within my heart," Liu Bei answered solemnly.

Li Yi was also adept at reading the mood and chimed in:

"The Lord of Beihai has traveled the entire day and must be utterly exhausted. Outside is hardly a proper place for conversation."

"My master has already prepared food and wine inside the residence. Why not step inside to converse, and cleanse the dust of travel for the Lord of Beihai?"

Kong Rong was overjoyed and was deferentially invited inside by Liu Bei.

During this time, Zhao Yun also introduced Xu Sheng to Liu Bei and Li Yi.

Upon hearing the whole sequence of events regarding why Xu Sheng was here, Liu Bei was likewise filled with deep emotion.

"For a stalwart warrior to probe our army's itinerary—this demonstrates wisdom."

"With a retinue of merely dozens of men, he dared to charge into an enemy formation—this demonstrates courage."

"When reduced to desperate straits, he still refused to abandon or forsake us—this demonstrates righteousness."

"Responding to the imperial summons to meet with me here—this demonstrates trustworthiness."

"A stalwart warrior combining wisdom and courage, with peerless trust and righteousness—I am profoundly grateful!"

Liu Bei continued to deploy his charm-maxed abilities, launching a ferocious storm of flattery against Xu Sheng.

How could Xu Sheng possibly withstand such an onslaught?

Moved beyond measure, he immediately bowed and said:

"Xu Sheng is merely a common man of humble background. How could I possibly merit such courteous treatment from the General?"

"You honor me far too much, it is quite overwhelming!"

He could indeed be considered a local magnate, but only relative to ordinary people.

Compared to true gentry powerhouses like Lu Su, he fell far short.

Li Yi also assisted Liu Bei from the side.

"The most precious virtues in this world are benevolence, righteousness, propriety, filial piety, alongside a complete mastery of wisdom and courage."

"Wenyang, you possess all six virtues. There is no need for excessive modesty!"

This continuous series of offensives launched by the lord and his strategist naturally moved Xu Sheng to the verge of tears.

Repeatedly, he declared that being able to serve the General was his greatest honor.

Liu Bei pulled him to a seat at the banquet, intending to formally memorialize his achievements.

Li Yi reminded Liu Bei not to forget about Zhao Yun.

However, Zhao Yun refused to claim any credit, choosing to report on his mission first.

"Strategist, the person you asked me to find has been found."

"What person?" Liu Bei asked.