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

Chapter 27 The Crouching Dragon and the Young Phoenix: Possessing them can bring peace to the world.

"How could I have neglected such a worthy man!"

Liu Bei was magnanimous and didn't care at all about petty lies like "Zhuge Liang as a study companion".

When Liu Bei learned that Pang Tong was actually the nephew of Pang Degong, a famous scholar from Xiangyang, and the "crown of scholars in the south" in the words of Sima Hui, a famous scholar from Yingchuan, and that he was also related to Zhuge Liang, he felt only guilt for "neglecting a worthy man".

Upon learning that Pang Tong was waiting quietly in the outer courtyard, Liu Bei hurriedly jumped off the bed, put on his shoes, and ran out the door.

In such a rush, I put my right shoe on my left foot and my left shoe on my right foot, and I even put both shoes on backwards.

"Mr. Pang, I have been negligent and apologize for my shortcomings!"

Liu Bei was completely unaware that he was wearing his shoes backwards. Upon seeing Pang Tong, he strode up to Pang Tong and bowed in apology.

He didn't blame Pang Tong for deliberately concealing his identity, but blamed himself for neglecting Pang Tong, and apologized to Pang Tong first.

Judging a person by their actions reveals their character and magnanimity.

Pang Tong was both shocked and moved, and quickly bowed in return, repeatedly saying, "I dare not."

"Mr. Pang has great talent for governing the world, why didn't you recommend him sooner, strategist?" After exchanging pleasantries, Liu Bei looked at Zhuge Liang on his right.

Before Zhuge Liang could speak, Pang Tong said, "It's not that Kongming is unwilling to recommend me, but I wanted to observe your intentions, so I pretended to be Kongming's page. Please forgive me for deceiving you."

Liu Bei hurriedly said, "Mr. Pang, you flatter me. In this world, not only do rulers choose their ministers, but ministers also choose their rulers."

"Although I am eager to find talented people, I have been busy for many years and still have no foundation. As a result, the heroes who have followed me have no place to use their talents."

“I often sigh with unease, feeling ashamed of myself.”

"Mr. Pang did not mind that I had not yet established a foundation, but instead condescended to assist me. How could I be blamed for such a trivial matter?"

Liu Bei's words were sincere.

In just a few words, the author glossed over Pang Tong's act of concealing his identity and "deceiving" Liu Bei, and instead emphasized that Pang Tong "condescended to assist him."

Pang Tong was moved and said, "General, your courtesy and respect for the virtuous surpasses even that of Duke Huan and King Zhao. Although you are currently in a difficult situation, given time, you will surely rise to great heights, and talented people from all over the world will flock to you."

"Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Pang." Liu Bei laughed and stepped aside to invite him, "It's windy in the courtyard, Mr. Pang, please come inside and have a chat with me."

The sound of wind instruments began.

The aroma of wine overflows.

Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, and Pang Tong sat around a stove, brewing wine.

Then the cook brought out venison, roasted it on the stove, sprinkled it with salt and dipped it in sauce, and the aroma was irresistible.

"Strategist, Mr. Pang, please."

"General, please."

The art of brewing wine and roasting meat has been passed down for two thousand years and remains popular.

In the midst of drinking.

Liu Bei calmly began the conversation, asking, "Since June, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao have been stationing troops on both sides of the Yellow River in a stalemate, yet neither side has formally declared war. I wonder, Mr. Pang, what do you think will be the course of this battle?"

Pang Tong picked up his chopsticks, dipped them in wine, and calmly sketched the Yellow River on the table: "The two armies have been locked in a stalemate for half a year without declaring war, not because they are unwilling, but because they are unable."

"Yuan Shao, relying on his large army and many generals, marched south. Although he understood the principle of 'seeing the times and adapting to changes,' as a subject attacking his lord, he had very few supporters. If he could not quickly defeat Cao Cao after crossing the river, all three armies would be trapped by a shortage of food and supplies."

"Cao Cao relied on his well-trained soldiers and adopted a defensive and protracted approach. Although this was in line with the military strategy of 'waiting for the enemy to tire themselves out and striking later,' his troops, which struck later, were better at defending than attacking."

"Furthermore, Yuan Shao is not courageous enough. Without a legitimate reason to start a war, he would not easily cross the river to start a war."

Liu Bei asked curiously, "Since you know that your cause is without justification, why does Yuan Shao station his troops on the north bank, causing hardship to the soldiers and civilians?"

Pang Tong laughed and said, "Kongming once said that Yuan Shao is outwardly lenient but inwardly suspicious, fond of scheming but indecisive, and he also allows his sons to fight for power, so that the civil and military officials in Hebei have different intentions. His situation seems to be like a surging river, but in reality, it is stagnant and silted up."

“I wholeheartedly agree.” “At that time, Yuan Shao stationed his troops on the north bank because he blindly trusted the strategies offered by his civil and military officials who advocated war; now, he hesitates to advance because he blindly trusts the strategies offered by his civil and military officials who advocate peace.”

"We cannot fight, nor can we retreat; we can only stand still and wait for an opportunity."

Upon hearing Pang Tong's analysis, Liu Bei couldn't help but think of the imperial edict hidden in the belt.

"Strategist, regarding Xuchang..."

Liu Bei looked at Zhuge Liang and asked him a question.

Zhuge Liang shook his head slightly: "There is still no news from Xuchang. But I think that no matter what the outcome, General should prepare for the worst."

Seeing that Pang Tong looked puzzled, Liu Bei instructed Zhuge Liang to tell Pang Tong about the matter of the imperial edict hidden in the belt.

Upon learning the reason, Pang Tong finally understood why Zhuge Liang insisted on handling everything personally.

Forced by circumstances, we had no choice but to do it.

Zhuge Liang added, "It is not that I intend to conceal this matter, but the matter of the imperial edict in the belt concerns your reputation and life, and I dare not speak lightly of it. If Shiyuan had been willing to work with me earlier, I certainly would not have concealed it until now."

"Kongming, you've kept this from me so well!" Pang Tong exclaimed jokingly, then looked at Liu Bei and said, "Dong Cheng, Wu Shuo, and others are not known for their intelligence."

"Among Cao Cao's subordinates, Xun Yu, Xun You, Guo Jia, Cheng Yu, and others were all outstanding talents known for their intelligence."

"Dong Cheng, Wu Shuo, and others want to deal with Cao Cao, but it's like an ant trying to shake a tree; they're bound to fail."

"I share the same view as Kongming: no matter the outcome, the general should prepare for the worst."

Liu Bei remained silent.

The worst-case scenario is that Dong Cheng, Wu Shuo, and others fail in their rebellion against Cao Cao and reveal that Liu Bei was involved in the secret edict.

Once Cao Cao learned that Liu Bei had been involved in the secret edict, he would never allow Liu Bei to remain in Xiapi.

Cao Cao knew Liu Bei's abilities all too well!

The statement "Among the heroes of the world, only you and I are worthy of praise" was not an empty boast by Cao Cao.

Moreover, Liu Bei has considerable influence in Xiapi and is on very good terms with Chen Deng, the governor of Guangling. Once he gains power, there will be endless troubles to come.

Cao Cao understood Liu Bei, and Liu Bei understood Cao Cao just as well.

Starting from his alliance with Yuan Shao, Cao Cao went on to seize the emperor and command the other warlords. He destroyed Tao Qian, Lü Bu, and Yuan Shu, and his power shook the counties of Yan, Xu, Yu, and Sili. This was something no ordinary person could achieve!
Liu Bei understood even more clearly: with his current strength, he was no match for Cao Cao!
Mind this.

Liu Bei then appointed Pang Tong as the Chief Clerk of the Left General, responsible for the daily administrative functions of the Left General's Office, including overall planning, supervision, guidance, and coordination.

The Chief Clerk of the Left General primarily performed administrative functions and was directly under the command of Liu Bei.

The position was vacant before Pang Tong was appointed as the Chief Clerk of the Left General.

Zhuge Liang was responsible for the specific duties.

Liu Bei was not unaware that Zhuge Liang was hands-on and worked tirelessly all day long; on the contrary, he was very aware of it, otherwise he would not have personally woven a small hat for Zhuge Liang.

Unfortunately, he only had two or three subordinates under his command, so he could only feel secure if Zhuge Liang was also in charge of Liu Bei.

Now that Pang Tong has arrived, there is a suitable person to fill this vacancy.

Simultaneously.

Liu Bei then appointed Pang Tong and Zhuge Liang as Military Advisors, allowing Pang Tong to participate in military decision-making alongside Zhuge Liang.

After determining Pang Tong's official position and responsibilities, Liu Bei asked, "I wish to use Che Zhou's name to secretly win over Zang Ba, Chang Xi, and others, but I fear that they will outwardly comply while inwardly resisting. Do you two strategists have any good strategies to advise me?"

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(End of this chapter)