The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 12 The First Succubus of the Eastern Han Dynasty is Back at Work
Huang Zhong, who was counting his coins, was startled to see an extra string of coins in the plate.

A string of cash is no small sum.

Huang Zhong sold his strength for several days and only earned a little over a hundred coins!
Looking back, Huang Zhong recognized Liu Bei.

Upon seeing that the person who gave the reward was none other than General Liu Bei, Huang Zhong quickly put down the plate, rubbed his hands on his clothes, and bowed, saying, "This humble official Huang Zhong greets General Liu Bei!"

On official positions.

Huang Zhong was merely a Lieutenant General in Jingzhou.

Liu Bei was the Left General.

The difference between the General of the Central Army and the General of the Left in Jingzhou is like heaven and earth.

Normally, Huang Zhong wouldn't even have the right to send a formal letter of greeting to the Left General!

And now.

Liu Bei, the Left General, personally came to see Huang Zhong and even rewarded him with a string of cash.

Even though Huang Zhong possessed unparalleled bravery, he couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive and doubtful.

I, Huang Zhong, am but an old soldier. What virtue or ability do I possess to deserve the condescension of the Left General?

Huang Zhong looked at Xu Shu to Liu Bei's right, as if asking a question.

See this.

Xu Shu said, "Kongming has been appointed as Military Advisor by the Left General, and Shiyuan has also joined the Left General's command for training. Therefore, the Left General is hosting a banquet at his residence today."

"General Zuo has heard that General Huang Zhonglang has accompanied us here and has worked very hard to protect us along the way. Therefore, he invites General Huang Zhonglang to join us for a banquet to express his gratitude."

Xu Shu was a man of many words.

By expressing gratitude to Huang Zhong for protecting Zhuge Liang and others, one can alleviate Huang Zhong's fear and doubts as much as possible.

Liu Bei seized the opportunity and said, "If it weren't for General Huang's diligent protection, I would have missed out on such a great sage. If General Huang doesn't mind that the wine and food in my residence are rather bland, how about we go together?"

General Zuo came to invite him personally, so Huang Zhong should not have refused.

But when he thought of his sick son, Huang Zhong looked troubled: "It's not that I don't want to. It's just that my son is sick and there's no one to take care of him, so I dare not drink alcohol; but if I attend the banquet and don't drink alcohol, I'm afraid I'll spoil General Zuo's mood."

"This was my oversight," Liu Bei said understandingly. "General Huang, please don't worry. Your son is not suffering from an incurable disease. I am quite familiar with Wu Pu, who has learned a health-preserving technique called the Five Animal Frolics. I can ask General Huang for it, and it will surely prolong your son's life."

The Five Animal Frolics was originally created by Hua Tuo, who then taught it to his disciple Wu Pu.

When Huang Zhong first arrived, he also asked Wu Pu for advice on the Five Animal Frolics, but Wu Pu refused.

If Wu Pu were to teach every patient the Five Animal Frolics exercise, he would exhaust himself.

not to mention.

The Five Animal Frolics is not a cure for diseases, but a health-preserving exercise to improve the body's immunity.

If those who do not understand it mistakenly believe that learning it can cure all diseases, it will only bring trouble to Wu Pu. Therefore, Wu Pu does not teach the Five Animal Frolics to anyone other than close relatives.

Liu Bei once held power in Xuzhou and was highly respected among the local people.

Wu Pu once treated Liu Bei's illness and was treated with great courtesy by Liu Bei, thus establishing a close friendship between them.

Wu Pu would not refuse if Liu Bei asked him to request the Five Animal Frolics for Huang Zhong.

"I am just an old soldier from Jingzhou, and I dare not trouble General Zuo."

Huang Zhong was taken aback when he heard Liu Bei promise the Five Animal Frolics.

Human relationships require reciprocity.

Liu Bei had only met Huang Zhong once, yet he had already exhausted his favor with Wu Pu, a favor that Liu Bei needed to repay.

Huang Zhong was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

Liu Bei waved his hand: "General Huang, please don't underestimate yourself. Wu Pu is an old friend of mine. It was just a small favor for me."

Huang Zhong gritted his teeth.

Liu Bei was so considerate; if Huang Zhong refused again, it would seem that he was being unreasonable.

"General Zuo, please wait a moment. Allow me to return to my lodgings and settle my son." Huang Zhong originally intended to return alone.

But how could Liu Bei miss the opportunity to show goodwill?
After obtaining Huang Zhong's consent, Liu Bei accompanied Huang Zhong to the inn, where he not only personally inquired about Huang Xu's condition but also personally wiped Huang Xu's face.

Although Huang Xu was ill and frail, he was very sensible.

these years.

Huang Xu had always seen and remembered Huang Zhong's hard work.

Although he didn't express it explicitly, Huang Xu always felt that he had dragged down Huang Zhong's future.

Imagine.

When Liu Biao wanted to give Huang Zhong a chance to make meritorious contributions, Huang Zhong refused on the grounds that he was taking his son to get medical treatment. How could Huang Zhong then make meritorious contributions and be promoted?
Over time.

Huang Zhong was left idle by Liu Biao and served as a garrison commander in You County.

It's much harder for a defending general to earn merit and get promoted than for an attacking general!

Therefore.

When Huang Xu learned that Liu Bei, a dignified General of the Left, had condescended to invite Huang Zhong to a banquet, promised to have Wu Pu teach him the Five Animal Frolics, and even personally came to comfort him and wipe his face without minding his dirtiness, Huang Xu made a decision in his heart.

We can't let Huang Zhong's future be jeopardized any further!
"Once I recover, how about I become General Zuo's clerk? Although I can't fight like my father, I can still do ink and record."

Huang Xu's bold words startled Huang Zhong, who hurriedly apologized.

"My son has been disobedient; please calm your anger, General Zuo."

Liu Bei laughed heartily.

General Huang has a fine son!
Liu Bei, who was extremely good at recognizing people, had already guessed Huang Xu's subtle thoughts.

He immediately promised, "There's no need to wait for you to recover. From this moment on, you are my clerk. Yunchang, arrange some men to take good care of my clerk. Yuanzhi, allocate some money and provisions; how can my clerk be without a salary?"

Huang Zhong was shocked: "General Zuo, this is unacceptable!"

How could anyone allow their sick son to become a clerk for a general and receive a salary for nothing?
Liu Bei deliberately put on a stern face: "General Huang, this is where you're wrong. You can't ruin your son's future. Or perhaps, General Huang, you think that I, Liu Bei, a dignified Left General, am not qualified to appoint your son as my clerk?"

Ah this?

That’s not what I meant!

"General Zuo, it's me..."

For a moment, Huang Zhong was at a loss for words.

Huang Xu's voice rang out again: "Father, I also have a salary now. Please, don't go to move the millstone anymore."

Huang Zhong was stunned. He turned to look at Huang Xu lying on the bed and couldn't help but burst into tears.

See this.

Liu Bei gestured for Guan Yu and Xu Shu to retreat outside the guesthouse, leaving Huang Zhong and his son alone.

After a while.

Huang Zhong emerged from the inn, his eyes slightly red. He bowed to Liu Bei and said, "General Zuo's kindness and righteousness are unforgettable! I will do my utmost to fulfill any request you may make!"

Although Huang Zhong did not acknowledge Liu Bei as his lord like Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu, his words were tantamount to giving Liu Bei a solemn promise.

Huang Zhong will surely repay Liu Bei's kindness!

Liu Bei laughed and stepped forward to help Huang Zhong up: "General Huang, you're being too polite. You are the father of Huang Shuzuo, and now that Huang Shuzuo is ill in bed, it is only right that I visit and care for him. How could you possibly order him around?"

"I will send someone here later to take care of Huang Shuzuo. General Huang can come to my residence for a banquet at dusk."

Liu Bei's words were full of concern.

This moved Huang Zhong even more.

No wonder even outstanding figures like Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Xu Shu chose to serve General Zuo. General Zuo's character is like a gentle breeze, a true hero!

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(End of this chapter)