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

Chapter 13 If one has a solid foundation, the mediocre people of the world are not worth worrying about.
The sounds of string and wind instruments rise, and cups are clinked in celebration.

At the Left General's residence, all the guests were in high spirits.

Zhang Fei, carrying a wine jar, staggered into the hall and shouted, "Today, my elder brother is fortunate to have gained the strategist Kongming. I have no other skills, so I will perform a special trick for you all!"

Seeing that everyone's eyes were on him.

Zhang Fei chuckled and then picked up the wine jar and drank it down in one gulp.

With a "gulp," Zhang Fei downed the entire jar of wine in one go!

"Good wine!"

"Haha! Good wine!"

Jian Yong, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but laugh and said, "Yide, you're not performing a special skill, you're just afraid someone will steal your wine!"

Zhang Fei's eyes darted around: "Xianhe, if you're not convinced, then challenge me to a contest. If you lose, all the wine on your table will belong to me."

Jian Yong covered the wine jar on the table with his large hand: "Wine should be sipped slowly to be appreciated. If everyone drinks it like water, how can there be any enjoyment in appreciating wine?"

Laughter immediately filled the room.

Seeing that Jian Yong wasn't fooled, Zhang Fei moved closer to Zhuge Liang's table, his gaze falling on the wine jar on the table: "The strategist is not yet twenty, he should not drink too much. If he harms his health because of excessive drinking, it will be a great sin on my part! I will drink it for the strategist!"

Seeing that Zhang Fei was trying to trick Zhuge Liang into drinking more wine, Liu Bei couldn't help but laugh and say, "Yide, you mustn't be rude to the strategist. You're not the strategist, how do you know that the strategist can't drink too much?"

Zhang Fei, overcome by his craving for alcohol, suddenly became incredibly intelligent: "Brother, you're not me, how would you know I don't know that a strategist shouldn't drink too much?"

Liu Bei was stunned.

Has Yide finally figured it out tonight? He's even using classical allusions now?

Zhuge Liang was amused by Zhang Fei's words and smiled as he pushed the wine jar toward Zhang Fei, saying, "My alcohol tolerance is still low, and I really dare not drink too much. If Chief Clerk Zhang is willing to do it for me, I would be more than happy to do so."

Zhang Fei was overjoyed and snatched the wine jar from the table with his arms as nimbly as snakes, as if afraid that Zhuge Liang would change his mind.

Subsequently.

Zhang Fei then toasted Liu Bei, saying, "Brother, I'm toasting you on behalf of the strategist! Please, brother, drink as you please, I'll drink first as a sign of respect!"

With a "glug" sound, half a jar of wine was swallowed by Zhang Fei.

With Zhang Fei keeping the atmosphere lively, laughter filled the room throughout the meal.

Inspired by the lively atmosphere, Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong also became interested. One played the zither, and the other played the flute. The harmonious sounds of the zither and flute further demonstrated the refined elegance of the scholars.

Jian Yong and Sun Qian played the game of pitch-pot, while the Mi brothers played Liubo.

Playing the zither and lute, resounding the bells and flutes, playing liubo (a board game), and throwing arrows into a high pot were all elegant forms of entertainment for scholars at banquets in the Han Dynasty.

Huang Zhong, who was originally reserved, gradually relaxed his tense shoulders and back as he saw the guests at the table behaving freely and without regard to rank.

Liu Bei keenly noticed this and gestured to Guan Yu with his eyes.

Guan Yu understood and rose to bow to the guests: "We have nothing to do before the banquet, so let me perform a sword dance to entertain you all."

Guan Yu's sword dance was as graceful as a dragon, elegant yet fierce.

Suddenly, his swordplay is as steady as a pine tree overlooking an abyss, as powerful as a boulder falling from a great height; suddenly, his swordplay is as light and agile as a swirling snowflake in a gentle breeze.

Xu Shu saw this.

Knowing Liu Bei's intentions, he pretended to offer a toast and came to Huang Zhong's table: "General Huang, are you skilled in performing dances at banquets?"

Huang Zhong was slightly taken aback, but then he understood the deeper meaning behind Xu Shu's words and also realized the purpose of Guan Yu's sword dance. Liu Bei was afraid that he would feel awkward at the banquet, so he asked Guan Yu to perform a sword dance to liven things up.

Just as scholars have their own banquets and entertainment, military generals also have theirs.

Mind this.

Huang Zhong left his seat, took his bow, and invited the guests: "Thank you all for the wine. Please watch me demonstrate my archery skills to entertain you all."

Huang Zhong's archery skills were dazzling yet composed.

Suddenly, like a tiger crouching in a ravine, the bow's shadow loomed deep and still, like the sound of pines rolling over rocks; suddenly, like an eagle soaring through the sky, the string's clear and resonant note was like shattered jade and torn silk. As they passed each other, the bow and sword lightly tapped, harmonious and gentle.

Liu Bei raised his cup and laughed: "The sword dance is like a dragon, the bow strokes are like a tiger; this can be called: a battle between dragon and tiger!"

The guests burst into laughter.

Huang Zhong felt relaxed and at ease, something he hadn't experienced in a long time.

Dance finished.

Huang Zhong's restraint completely disappeared. After drinking with Guan Yu, Huang Zhong then shared half of the wine in the jar with Zhang Fei, instantly winning Zhang Fei's favor.

With their arms around each other's shoulders, it was as if they were old friends reuniting.

Looking at the harmonious relationship between the civil and military officials.

Liu Bei couldn't help but think: If I have a foundation, the mediocre people in the world are not worth worrying about!
It wasn't until late at night that the guests gradually became drunk and dispersed.

Liu Bei instructed Chen Dao, who had been guarding the banquet, to send people to settle all the guests.

Zhuge Liang, having drunk less, was left until the end.

Liu Bei bowed and apologized, saying, "Yide is fond of drinking. He did not mean any harm by taking the wine from the strategist tonight. I hope the strategist will not blame him for my sake."

Zhuge Liang laughed and said, "Zhang, the chief clerk, is a man of strong character. If he didn't consider me a friend, why would he steal my wine? General, don't worry, I am not a petty person."

Liu Bei laughed and said, "I feel an instant connection with you, strategist, and I wish I could consult you day and night. It is late tonight, strategist. If you do not find me uncouth, why not share a bed with me and sleep side by side tonight? Tomorrow morning, we can discuss the affairs of the world together."

Upon hearing Liu Bei's sincere words, Zhuge Liang couldn't help but recall the scene of Liu Bei entrusting his son to Zhuge Liang at Baidi City.

"Your talent is ten times that of Cao Pi. You will surely be able to stabilize the country and ultimately achieve great things. If the heir is capable, assist him; if he is not, you can take the position yourself."

If Liu Bei had not placed absolute trust in Zhuge Liang, why would he have entrusted his young son to Zhuge Liang? And why would he have granted Zhuge Liang the power to arbitrarily depose and install emperors?
"It is my honor to share a bed with you, General!" Zhuge Liang replied solemnly.

Later generations often jokingly referred to the Shu Han dynasty as being "all gay," largely because folklore suggests that Liu Bei and his ministers enjoyed sleeping in the same bed.

however.

In the Han Dynasty, sleeping in the same bed was a sign of extreme intimacy and trust.

Especially during the chaotic late Han Dynasty, sleeping in the same bed was a rare and precious experience.

When Liu Bei invited Zhuge Liang to sleep in the same bed, it meant that he had entrusted his entire future to Zhuge Liang. If Zhuge Liang had any intention of harming Liu Bei, Liu Bei would not live to see the next day.

Why did Cao Cao have a habit of killing people in his dreams?
I'm just afraid of being chopped up in my sleep!

Therefore, the habit of killing in dreams was spread as a warning to those with ulterior motives: If you don't want to die, get lost!
A midnight banquet.

They collapsed into the same bed in the middle of the night.

This eliminated the barriers between Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, making their relationship extremely close and allowing them to talk about anything.

A few days later.

Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang ate at the same table and slept on the same bed, discussing matters of state all day long with joy and happiness.

Zhang Fei was filled with envy and privately complained to Guan Yu, "Brother Guan spends all his time with water and has forgotten about his brothers. My brothers are the real right-hand men of yours."

Guan Yu did not agree with Zhang Fei's complaints.

Despite his complaints, Zhang Fei still held Zhuge Liang in high esteem.

Firstly, Zhang Fei respected scholars, and secondly, Zhuge Liang came all the way from Jingzhou to join him.

soon.

Zhang Fei had grown accustomed to the close relationship between Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, and would often consult Zhuge Liang on classical studies.

In their shared love of Confucianism and refined tastes, Zhang Fei and Zhang He were like brothers.

　Please add this to your favorites, follow this story, vote for it, donate, and leave a comment.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)