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

Chapter 25 What Che Zhou can give, I will give; what Che Zhou cannot give, I will give even more of.
Before Liu Bei could even take the initiative to win him over, Cao Xuan had already approached Liu Bei.

Accompanying Cao Xuan to see Liu Bei were fifty sets of leather armor.

When Liu Bei learned that Cao Xuan intended to give away fifty sets of leather armor as a gift, his eyes lit up.

Although Liu Bei had more than 800 men, apart from the initial hundred or so, the rest of the strong soldiers all wore plain clothes.

Compared to the Three Kingdoms period when equipment was plentiful, equipment was extremely scarce during the period of warlordism.

Frequent wars, rampant plagues, locust plagues, and floods have led to severe food shortages. Most people go hungry nine times in three days, so how can they have the energy to craft equipment?
Even the strongest general at the time, Yuan Shao, could only muster three hundred sets of horse armor, while Cao Cao, who held the emperor hostage to command the other lords, couldn't even muster ten sets.

Even the thousand sets of thick linen clothing and shoes that Liu Bei demanded from Cao Xuan could be called "cloth armor".

And now.

Cao Xuan actually threw out fifty sets of leather armor, which were far more valuable than a thousand sets of thick linen clothes!
Liu Bei originally intended to win over Cao Xuan.

Cao Xuan's initiative in offering gifts actually made the process of winning him over much easier.

"If Prefect Cao has any requests, he may speak frankly."

Liu Bei looked away from the gift list, his tone gentle and warm.

Cao Xuan was secretly pleased.

Cao Xuan spent a considerable amount of money and silk to gather these fifty sets of leather armor.

By gifting fifty sets of leather armor to Liu Bei, Cao Xuan naturally had an ulterior motive.

"I come from a humble background and, though I lack the talent to govern, I have some family wealth. I only wish to seek a better future and hope that General Zuo can give me some guidance."

Cao's declaration is concise and to the point.

I have money!
I want to be an official!
And he's not content with just being a private driver!
Although the position of Prefectural Governor is of great importance at the provincial level, it usually changes with the change of Governor. Only a few Prefectural Governors have the support of powerful families and can be so powerful as to undermine the new Governor.

Obviously.

Cao Xuan was not among the minority.

Initially, Cao Xuan had high hopes for Che Zhou, expecting him to lead him to great heights in his official career.

Gradually, Cao Xuan realized that Che Zhou, the governor of Xuzhou, was merely a figurehead.

Chen Deng, the governor of Guangling, did not take the carriages and helmets seriously.

Zang Ba, the prime minister of Langya, did not take chariots and helmets seriously.

General Liu Bei of the Left did not take Che Zhou seriously.

Even Changxi, Wu Dun, Yin Li, Sun Guan, Sun Kang, and others did not take Che Zhou seriously.

Aside from promising Cao Xuan a rosy picture, Che Zhou was only good at seeking personal gain and avoiding personal harm. He sought Che Zhou's own benefit and avoided Che Zhou's potential harm.

As for Cao Xuan?

Cao Xuan was nothing more than chickens, dogs, cattle, and horses in Che Zhou's eyes.

Whether he lives or dies is none of Che Zhou's business.

Especially after Che Zhou relinquished power to Liu Bei, Cao Xuan suddenly realized that even if Che Zhou was dismissed from his post as governor by Cao Cao in the future, he would still be a famous scholar and could still serve as an official in the court.

However, Cao Xuan, who was recruited by Che Zhou as the Prefect of Xuzhou, will be reduced to his original status.

During his time as the Prefect of Xuzhou, Cao Xuan offended many powerful local figures in Xiapi, especially when he was raising grain and supplies for Che Zhou, which caused resentment among many of them.

The claim that Cao Xuan returned all the money and grain, and that everyone else's money and grain were split 50/50, is not unfounded!

Once Cao Xuan loses his official position as the Prefect of Xuzhou, the powerful clans of Xiapi who are dissatisfied with him will surely rise up against him and even divide up his family fortune.

Whenever he thought of this, Cao Xuan felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

Ever since.

Not wanting to be abandoned by Che Zhou, Cao Xuan decided to seek refuge with Liu Bei.

These fifty sets of leather armor were Cao Xuan's gift to Cao Xuan!
Just as the strategist predicted!

Liu Bei was secretly pleased.

“Prefect Cao is a righteous man, which suits my taste very well. However, although I am willing to help him, I lack a solid foundation. If he follows me, Prefect Cao may suffer hardships.” Liu Bei said calmly. But to Cao Xuan, Liu Bei’s words sounded like heavenly music.

Cao Xuan said with a sigh, "In the past, when Prince Zichu of Qin came to Handan as a hostage, Lü Buwei helped him ascend the throne with a thousand pieces of gold, which became a famous story."

"Although I am not as wealthy as Lü Buwei, General Zuo possesses heroic qualities far surpassing those of Prince Zichu of Qin. Once General Zuo establishes his foundation, no mediocre person in the world will be able to rival his might."

“If General Zuo does not despise my lowly status, I am willing to offer all my family's wealth to help General Zuo establish his foundation.”

Liu Bei was secretly alarmed: I underestimated him!
Each feudal lord has his own way of surviving.

The powerful have their own way of surviving.

Those who manage to survive in chaotic times are invariably resourceful.

Liu Bei did not gladly accept Cao Xuan's offer of allegiance.

Cao Xuan knew nothing about Liu Bei's strategic direction; he only knew that Liu Bei wanted to compete with Cao Cao for credit.

If Cao Xuan had known that Liu Bei would eventually abandon Xiapi and head north to conquer Hebei, would he still have offered up all his family's wealth?

Not everyone can understand Liu Bei's strategy of conquering Hebei.

Not everyone can remain steadfast in following Liu Bei to start a business.

Mind this.

Liu Bei composed himself and asked again, "The world is unpredictable, and fate is uncertain. If I cannot establish myself in Xiapi, would you, Cao Biejia, be willing to abandon your homeland?"

If it were only for Cao Xuan's wealth, Liu Bei could have fabricated a story that was half true and half false.

However, Liu Bei was a man who valued integrity and trustworthiness above all else.

Cao Xuan's initiative to submit was, in Liu Bei's view, a righteous act.

It is an unjust act to deliberately deceive Cao Xuan in order to covet his family's wealth.

Liu Bei would rather forgo Cao Xuan's wealth than commit unjust acts that would damage his own virtue and integrity.

A person cannot stand without integrity!

Liu Bei's question startled Cao Xuan.

General Zuo, you've considered my situation so much?
Cao Xuan was able to build his fortune in a chaotic world, so he was certainly not a naive or innocent person.

Especially when comparing Liu Bei and Che Zhou, the difference in their abilities is immediately apparent!
Che Zhou never considered Cao Xuan's difficulties and only told Cao Xuan to "endure"!
Cao Xuan couldn't help but recall Zhuge Liang's words: "Now, the Left General does not mind my humble origins and entrusts me with important responsibilities. We eat at the same table and sleep in the same bed. His respect for the virtuous and talented surpasses even that of Duke Huan and King Zhao. I wonder, how does Governor Che treat Cao Xuan better, or how does the Left General treat Zhuge Liang?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Xuan almost broke down.

Looking back now, Cao Xuan had a sudden realization:

[When General Zuo was betrayed by Lü Bu and his empire was destroyed, Mi Zizhong was willing to give away all his wealth to support him.]

I originally thought it was because Mi Zizhong had the insight to judge people and situations, but now it seems that it must be because General Zuo treated Mi Zizhong well and did not look down on Mi Zizhong's humble origins that Mi Zizhong was able to give away all his family wealth.

Mind this.

Cao Xuan's eyes hardened.

"General Zuo has considered my situation so much, how could I not understand his intentions?"

“I was born into a lowly profession, and by chance I managed to accumulate some wealth in this chaotic world. I thought Che Zhou had the qualities of a wise ruler, so I spared no expense in providing him with money, silk, and provisions. I never expected that Che Zhou would treat me like a worn-out broom.”

"In my despair, I was fortunate enough to meet General Zuo. He did not despise my lowly status, treated me with courtesy, and even considered my concerns. He was truly a wise ruler, unmatched by any ruler throughout history."

"I am willing to serve as the Left General, leading the horse and holding the stirrups, even if it means death, I will not regret it!"

Laughter rang out.

Liu Bei was very satisfied with Cao Xuan's answer.

Liu Bei stepped forward and helped Cao Xuan up, promising, "With Cao Xuan's righteous assistance, what do I have to worry about failing in my great undertaking!"

“Since ancient times, all men must die, but a man without integrity cannot stand. If I can establish a foundation, I will certainly not betray you. What Che Zhou can give, I will give; what Che Zhou cannot give, I will give even more of.”

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(End of this chapter)