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

Chapter 35: Hindsight is 20/20, Zhuge Liang intervenes again to save Chen Deng's life.

“Since Lord Xuande has executed Che Zhou, Minister Cao will certainly not let this go.”

Guangling Prefecture, Kuangqi City.

The smoke of war has not yet dissipated.

Chen Deng, the governor of Guangling, who had just defeated Sun Quan by using fire as a feint, became worried after learning that Liu Bei had killed Che Zhou.

Although the series of events in Xuzhou caused Liu Bei and Chen Deng to lose their lord-subject relationship, their friendship did not diminish in the slightest.

True.

Unlike Mi Zhu, Chen Deng did not make a desperate gamble in supporting Liu Bei.

But just as Liu Bei said to Che Zhou, "My relatives and ministers are all in Xiapi, and I have no choice but to do so," Chen Deng also had his own reasons for having no choice but to do so.

Originally, the Chen family of Xiapi was managed by Chen Gui and Chen Yu.

Later, due to war.

First, Chen Gui unexpectedly fell ill and was unable to manage affairs; then, Chen Yu's plot to assassinate Sun Ce failed, and he fled to Ji Province.

Chen Deng's three younger brothers were all incompetent, so the burden of the family fell on Chen Deng's shoulders alone.

at the same time.

Because of the old grudge of Chen Yu plotting to seize Sun Ce's territory, Sun Ce harbored great hatred for the Chen family of Xiapi. Therefore, during his campaigns against Liu Xun, Huang Zu, and others, Sun Ce also ordered Sun Quan to attack Guangling.

Chen Deng, unwilling to let Sun Ce seize Guangling and also wanting to avenge Chen Yu's defeat at Haixi, focused all his energy on plotting to attack Sun Ce.

Therefore.

Liu Bei had been in Xiapi for half a year, but Chen Deng had not met with him even once.

It's not that I don't want to, but I can't.

During this half year.

Chen Deng secretly instigated the remnants of Yan Baihu's forces to defect, and Sun Quan also led troops to attack Kuangqi City twice.

With the war raging on, Chen Deng was unable to spare any attention.

It wasn't until a few days ago, after defeating Sun Quan for the second time and beheading tens of thousands, giving Sun Quan, that little rat, a good beating, that Chen Deng had the idea of ​​going to Xiapi.

Chen Deng wanted to discuss the future with Liu Bei.

The intention was to let Liu Bei take advantage of the standoff between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao to go south and contend with Sun Ce, and then seize the opportunity to rise up in Jiangdong and establish a new foundation.

In Chen Deng's view, the confrontation between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao would not end in the short term.

While Cao Cao was confronting Yuan Shao, he must have been worried that Liu Biao and Sun Ce would reap the benefits.

If Liu Bei were willing to fight against Sun Ce on Cao Cao's behalf, Cao Cao would certainly give Liu Bei maximum support in the spirit of righteousness.

In fact.

Cao Cao's reluctance to kill Liu Bei and his decision to have Liu Bei lead troops to attack Yuan Shu also stemmed from this consideration.

If Dong Cheng, Wu Shuo, and others hadn't lost their composure and caused the secret edict to be leaked, even without Zhuge Liang's subsequent advice, Liu Bei wouldn't have been foolish enough to raise an army against Cao Cao.

More likely, Liu Bei would carefully maintain the delicate relationship of "heroes cherishing heroes" with Cao Cao, and then, as Chen Deng planned, help Cao Cao to attack Sun Ce, and then choose an opportunity to establish a base in Jiangdong.

Never thought.

Before Chen Dengren had even left Kuangqi City, news of Liu Bei's execution of Che Zhou and the subsequent announcement to all the counties reached Kuangqi City first.

This made Chen Deng sense something unusual.

Given Liu Bei's style of doing things, he would not have killed Che Zhou unless it was absolutely necessary.

And now.

Liu Bei not only executed Che Zhou, but also issued a proclamation to all the counties to explain his "grievances," and even wanted to return to Zhuojun to teach.

If you say there's no hidden story, Chen Deng would never believe it.

“I have known Lord Xuande for a time, and now that he is in trouble, I cannot stand idly by. I should lend him a helping hand.”

Mind this.

Chen Deng found paper and pen and began to write furiously.

In addition to reminiscing about the past with Liu Bei and expressing his apology for not being able to stand by Liu Bei through thick and thin, the letter also reminded Liu Bei that once he arrived in Hebei, he could seek help from Chen Yu, the former Commandant of An under Yuan Shao.

Chen Yu was the son of the late Grand Commandant Chen Qiu and the cousin of Chen Deng. Even in his current state of decline, his reputation was still considerable. With Chen Yu as an intermediary, Liu Bei could more easily make connections with scholars and heroes in Hebei.

This was Chen Deng's "helping hand".

"Life is unpredictable. I don't know if I will ever see Lord Xuande again."

Chen Deng sighed and gave up the idea of ​​going to Xiapi to see Liu Bei.

When Liu Bei executed Che Zhou, Chen Deng's strategy for Liu Bei to gain momentum in Jiangdong became useless.

Chen Deng felt ashamed that he could not devise a future plan for Liu Bei after meeting him.

Liu Bei received Chen Deng's letter three days later.

Upon seeing Chen Deng's apology in the letter and his account of Chen Yu's affairs, Liu Bei was moved and sighed, "It is I who have wronged Yuanlong, not Yuanlong who has wronged me."

He finished sighing.

Liu Bei then shared Chen Deng's letter with Zhuge Liang.

"Chen Yuanlong is truly a virtuous man!"

Zhuge Liang praised him sincerely.

In Zhuge Liang's future memories, he heard Liu Bei mention Chen Deng many times.

Whenever the topic came up, Liu Bei felt deep regret, both for not being able to work with Chen Deng and for Chen Deng's early death.

There was a rumor in Xiangyang:

Liu Bei once discussed the wise men of the world with Xu Si and Liu Biao.

When Chen Deng was mentioned, Xu Si said with a contemptuous tone, "Chen Yuanlong is a man of great talent and ambition, but he has not lost his heroic spirit."

At that time, Chen Deng had just died, and Liu Bei was grieving.

Upon hearing Xu Si's disdain for Chen Deng, Liu Bei immediately brought up the old story of Xu Si's lack of concern for the country and the Han dynasty, yet his request for land and houses from Chen Deng, and further praised Xu Si, saying, "Yuanlong's literary and martial talents and courage are unmatched in this era."

It can be seen.

Knowing that Chen Deng would die of illness in a year, Zhuge Liang couldn't bear to see Liu Bei sad and regretful, so he added, "I have heard that Chen Yuanlong likes to eat raw fish and other fishy foods."

"However, many fishy foods contain insect eggs. If eaten raw, these eggs will eventually develop into internal carbuncles. If there is no good doctor to help when the disease occurs, one's life will be in danger."

"The general may reply with advice."

Liu Bei was immediately taken aback: "The strategist also knows medicine?"

Zhuge Liang nodded: "I know a little bit. General, you can send someone to invite Wu Pu over, and you'll know the answer soon enough."

Since Chen Deng's safety was at stake, Liu Bei dared not be careless and immediately sent Yuan Chen to drive to invite Wu Pu.

"Several months ago, Prefect Chen fell ill. He was restless, his face was red, and he lost his appetite. My teacher went to Guangling to examine him and said that Prefect Chen had several liters of worms in his stomach, which would develop into internal carbuncles. This was caused by eating raw and fishy food."

"My master then prepared two liters of soup. He drank one liter first, and then drank the rest after a short while. Not long after, Prefect Chen indeed vomited out about three liters of worms, all with red heads that were moving, and half of their bodies were raw fish sashimi."

"Although my master has temporarily cured Prefect Chen's illness, he predicted that the disease would relapse in three years and only a good doctor could save him."

Upon hearing that Chen Deng had already suffered from the illness once and that it could relapse, Liu Bei was greatly alarmed and asked, "Since it has been cured, why did it relapse after three years? Does your master possess the ability to predict the future?"

Wu Pu sighed, “It’s not that my master is good at divination, but that Prefect Chen has a fondness for raw and pungent foods, and his habit is hard to break. If Prefect Chen is determined to rely on his youth and good health and refuse to watch his diet, it could take as long as three years or as short as one year.”

Liu Bei was even more horrified.

Wu Pu has already made it very clear.

If Chen Deng does not change his habit of eating raw and fishy foods, his old illness may relapse at any time within three years.

Hua Tuo would not stay in Guangling often, much less stay for Chen Deng alone.

If Chen Deng were to suffer a relapse of his old illness and could not find a skilled physician like Hua Tuo, he would be doomed.

Recalling his past with Chen Deng, Liu Bei felt even more worried.

I have known Yuanlong for a time, and I cannot stand idly by; I should personally go and persuade him.

Mind this.

Having made his decision, Liu Bei solemnly said, "Strategist, I wish to make a trip to Kuang Qi."

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(End of this chapter)