Three Kingdoms: I choose Xiao Qiao and Da Qiao, why are you crying, Diao Chan?

Chapter 164: Honest Advice Harms the Ear (Thanks to book friend 2017…4116 Yang Xiaogang for the monthly ticket support~)
"Oh?"

Hearing Jiang Wan's high evaluation, Lu Bu immediately became interested:
"Who is this person?"

"This man's surname is Liu, his given name is Ba, and his courtesy name is Zichu!" Jiang Wan answered seriously.

It was him!

A look of realization appeared on Lu Bu's face.

Although Liu Ba's fame and talent were not as great as Jiang Wan's, he was indeed a rare talent.

Historically, he was originally a subordinate of Cao Cao.

But after several twists and turns, he was accepted by Liu Bei and solved the financial crisis for Liu Bei who had just arrived in Shu.

He does have considerable talent in business.

In addition, Zhuge Liang also commented on him:

"When it comes to making plans and tactics, I am far inferior to Zichu!"

However, in Lu Bu's view, this was obviously Zhuge Liang's humble words.

If Liu Ba really had such great strategic talent, how could he not have a high enough reputation and records related to his strategy?
Moreover, this man was too aloof. Not only did he refuse to accept Liu Biao's call to arms when he was young.

When he came to Liu Bei's camp, he did not bother Zhang Fei who came to visit him in order to show his nobleness.

Zhang Fei was so angry that he wanted to poke ten thousand transparent holes in him!

Liu Bei therefore commented on him:
"Zi Chu is extremely talented and intelligent. If I were the only one, I could employ him. But if I were not the only one, it would be difficult for me to employ him alone."

Only someone as broad-minded as Liu Bei could accept him.

If it were someone else, they would either ignore Liu Ba or kill him outright.

Lu Bu actually had little interest in this person.

It is definitely not pleasant to get along with people who think they are aloof, even if they have talent.

Not to mention that the other party might not necessarily look down upon a "slave of three surnames" who once had a bad reputation.

However, since it was Jiang Wan who recommended him, Lu Bu could not turn down his offer, so he nodded and said:
"In this case, can Gongyan ask for this talent for me?"

Jiang Wan replied sincerely:

“If I can do it, I will naturally be willing to go for my lord.

"It's just that Liu Ba has a picky eye, and my lord, your reputation in the past... wasn't very good.

“Although you have basically taken over Yang and Jing provinces, your prestige is very high.

"But if you don't go there in person, I'm afraid it will be difficult to invite him..."

Hearing this, Lu Bu suddenly felt irritated.

He wasn't particularly interested in the show to begin with, and now he has to go there in person, and he may not even be able to get the invitation.

He now controls more than ten counties in two states and is considered a tyrant in the southeast. He no longer needs to lower his posture as much as before.

He really didn't want to do such a thankless task.

But after all, it was Jiang Wan who proposed it, and now Jiang Wan has just joined, so his loyalty is not stable enough.

If he does not accept the other party's opinion at this moment, he is afraid that the other party will be disappointed and may leave him one day.

Lu Bu pondered for a moment and asked seriously:
"Gong Yan, do you think that Liu Ba, who has a bad personality, is worthy of my personal recruitment?"

Jiang Wan saw Lu Bu's reluctance and said immediately:

"Since you can forgive me for my drunken behavior, why can't you accept Liu Ba, who has done nothing wrong but has a noble character?

“If you are content and complacent because you own two states, you will not treasure the talents you may have.

"How can we ensure that we can seize the remaining eleven states of the Han Dynasty in the future?"

Hearing this, Lu Bu suddenly felt enlightened!
I immediately realized that I was indeed a little proud and complacent.

Owning two states, he is indeed considered a powerful and influential prince.

But there were still strong rivals such as Liu Xie, Cao Cao and Zhuge Liang who had yet to decide the winner.

If you relax and slack off at this moment, all your previous efforts may be wasted!

Lu Bu immediately stood up, clasped his fists towards Jiang Wan and said:
"Thank you Gongyan for awakening me! Otherwise, inviting Liu Ba is a small matter, but my increasing complacency is the real hidden danger!" Jiang Wan was quite surprised to see that Lu Bu could reform himself immediately, and he felt more and more that he had met a wise leader.

He quickly stood up and returned the greeting:
“My lord, there is no need to be polite to your subjects. Advising the monarch is what a subject should do.

"It's rare that the lord can listen to the advice of his subjects and make changes accordingly...

"If you can remain so humble and be cautious about the future.

"Then this world will fall into the lord's pocket sooner or later!"

After listening to Jiang Wan's words, Lu Bu nodded solemnly:

"There is no time to lose. We have almost finished our breakfast. Gong Yan, please accompany me to Zhengyang County to meet Liu Ba."

Jiang Wan cupped his hands joyfully and took the initiative to clear the dishes for Lu Bu.

Lu Bu waved his hand, pulled him out and said:

"Let the servants handle this matter. I'll call Wei Yan and the others, and we'll set off immediately!"

Jiang Wan was also quite happy about Lu Bu's impetuous attitude.

Where can I find a wise leader who can listen to my harsh but honest advice and also value my opinions?
He believed that he would be able to thrive under Lu Bu in the future!
……

Lu Bu took Wei Yan, Zhang Liao and two hundred soldiers with him, and did not let the veteran Huang Zhong follow him around.

Let him and Huan Jie and others wait for them to come back in Xiangxiang County.

The group quickly headed towards Zhengyang County in the north.

When it was getting dark, everyone finally arrived near Zhengyang County.

When Yong Mao, the magistrate of Zhengyang County, learned that Marquis Wen had arrived, he had already met him ten miles outside the city.

Such an attitude made Lu Bu quite satisfied, and he immediately promoted him to the position of county commander, which surprised Yong Mao.

However, when Yong Mao learned that Lü Bu wanted to recruit Liu Ba, he looked embarrassed and said:

"Your Excellency the Governor, you may not know that Liu Ba appears to be modest on the surface, but inwardly he is extremely arrogant and looks down on ordinary people.

"You want to recruit him, but it may be very difficult..."

Lu Bu had already prepared for this and smiled and shook his head:

“The more such a person is, the more I want to see how talented he really is.

"And what if I'm not just an ordinary person in his eyes, maybe he'd be willing to use me?"

Seeing that Lu Bu was so confident, Yong Mao did not try to persuade him any further and directly brought everyone to Liu Ba's mansion.

Liu Ba came from a family of officials. His grandfather was the prefect of Cangwu and his father was the prefect of Jiangxia.

Those who can achieve the position of prefect usually come from a wealthy family.

The three-courtyard villa of Liu Ba's family is enough to illustrate this point.

Before coming, Lu Bu had sent a visiting card, but received no reply.

From this we can see that Liu Ba neither wanted to see him nor was afraid of him, so he chose not to reply.

And not replying is often also a kind of reply.

However, since Lu Bu had come, he naturally did not intend to return empty-handed, and immediately asked the guards at the door to go in and report.

When the guards saw the county magistrate personally leading this group of people, they did not dare to delay and hurriedly ran into the mansion.

Soon, a man wearing a scholar's cap and dark clothes walked out quickly.

The man first glanced at the county magistrate Yong Mao, then looked at the tallest man present.

He immediately understood who this person who was being praised by so many people was, and immediately bowed to Lu Bu:

"My name is Liu Ba, nice to meet you, Marquis Wen, the county magistrate, and all the generals!

“I already know the purpose of Lord Wen’s visit.

"But I still have an old mother at home who needs to be taken care of. Please allow me to stay at home and serve my mother, and practice filial piety..."

(End of this chapter)