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

Chapter 70 Liu Bei, the alms-begging master, obtains Yuan Shao's cavalry.
Yuan Shao's seemingly cheerful question actually made people feel uneasy, and the originally relaxed atmosphere became heavier without them realizing it.

Although Cao Cao's drunken ramblings about Yuan Shao being "fierce in appearance but cowardly in courage, fond of scheming but indecisive; he hesitates to risk his life for great things but forgets his life for small gains" were clearly reflected in his attitude towards Liu Bei, Cao Cao's attitude towards Liu Bei revealed the true nature of this assessment.

While deliberately showing off his own strength, he also intentionally belittled Cao Cao's reputation. He personally led his troops to welcome Liu Bei, while suspecting that Liu Bei had ulterior motives. He perfectly combined being courteous to the virtuous with being suspicious and distrustful.

The strategist once said: Yuan Shao is outwardly lenient but inwardly suspicious; this is no exaggeration.

Liu Bei sighed inwardly, but his outward humility remained unchanged:

"Under the general's command, there are many brave and capable generals: Yan Liang and Wen Chou are outstanding generals of the world, Zhang He and Gao Lan are pillars of Hebei, and Chunyu Qiong and others are also well-known veteran generals."

"Although Yun Chang and Yi De are brave and strong, their skills are only crude. How dare they show off their skills in front of the Great General's might?"

“My life has been full of ups and downs, and I have lost my wife and children several times. Although I was fortunate enough to escape the control of Cao Cao, I was afraid that Cao Cao would return. Therefore, I left two people in Gaotang to take care of my family.”

"I had no other intentions. I hope the General will understand."

It elevates Yuan Shao while belittling itself, and further positions Guan Yu and Zhang Fei as mere guards.

Coupled with Liu Bei's perfectly timed look of confusion and sorrow, Yuan Shao couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy: "Xuande is suffering from the hardships of wandering and his family is enduring the pain of displacement. Yet I have been suspicious of Xuande. This is far too much!"
Mind this.

Yuan Shao laughed loudly: "I was just joking with you!"

Liu Bei couldn't help but feel contempt: They were already taking advantage of me, and now they say they were just joking with me?

Despite his disdain, Liu Bei saw through it but didn't say anything. He relaxed his brows and bowed deeply to Yuan Shao, saying, "I have been bullied by Cao Cao and have been living in fear all day. As a result, I did not recognize the magnanimity of the General. I hope the General will forgive my rudeness."

Seeing Liu Bei's humble attitude, Yuan Shao's wariness of Liu Bei lessened, and he became even more smug. He took Liu Bei's arm more intimately and led him into the tent: "Xuande, there's no need for this. Now that we're in Hebei, Xuande is my honored guest."

While talking.

Yuan Shao then publicly ordered a banquet to be held, showing the utmost goodwill.

If it weren't for the brief confrontation with Liu Bei earlier, people would only know that "General Yuan Shao traveled two hundred li to Liyang to personally welcome General Liu Bei, which shows his respect for the virtuous and talented."

After the wine and food were served, Yuan Shao ordered his strategist Xin Ping to attend the banquet.

Because Yuan Shao did not want to be interfered with by Ju Shou and others, when he came to welcome Liu Bei, only his strategist Xin Ping accompanied him.

Compared to Ju Shou, Tian Feng, Shen Pei, Feng Ji, Xu You, Guo Tu, and Xun Chen, Xin Ping was not a particularly prominent figure in Yuan Shao's advisory group.

Normally, Xin Ping wouldn't have the chance to show off his talents in front of Yuan Shao.

And now.

Xin Ping, however, was able to accompany Yuan Shao to the banquet as the "only strategist".

This was a perfect opportunity for Xin Ping to show off his talents in front of Yuan Shao!

Ever since.

Xin Ping glorified Yan Liang's defeat at Baima as follows: "The Grand General used a feint attack, openly ordering General Yan Liang to harass Baima with a detachment to hold back Cao Cao's main force; secretly ordering Guo Tu, Chunyu Qiong, and others to lead the main army across the river to launch a surprise attack on Yanjin. Now it has been very effective."

Yuan Shao was pleased to hear this and also quite admired Xin Ping's rhetoric of "turning black into white." He laughed loudly and said, "I only used a little trick, and Mengde was already thrown into chaos. If I hadn't delayed the southward march because I couldn't bear to see my soldiers suffer in the cold winter, Xuchang would have been mine long ago!"

The back-and-forth singing made Liu Bei feel even more disdainful: If it were really "very effective", why would he personally welcome me?
Despite his disdain, Liu Bei's face showed admiration. He cupped his hands respectfully and said, "Although Cao Cao has strategies, his skills are limited to this. Before you, General, I am as insignificant as Mount Tai!" Yuan Shao laughed even more heartily, as if Yan Liang's defeat at Baima was indeed as Xin Ping had described.

Seeing Yuan Shao's delight, Xin Ping suggested, "I have long heard that General Zuo is brave and skilled in battle, and now he has come from afar. Why doesn't the General send General Zuo and General Wen Chou to Yan Jin together? This would allow General Zuo to witness the strength of the Hebei army and also allow him to avenge the humiliation caused by Cao Cao."

Xin Ping's suggestion was a supplement to the glorification of Yan Liang's defeat.

No secret can stay hidden forever, and Liu Bei couldn't keep Yan Liang's defeat a secret forever.

To cover up this lie, Liu Bei needed to witness the strength of the Hebei army; at that point, Yan Liang's defeat would become irrelevant.

Sending Liu Bei to fight Yan Jin with Wen Chou would be an excellent opportunity.

At the same time, it can also help Yuan Shao verify Liu Bei's sincerity!
Since Liu Bei was forced to come to Hebei by Cao Cao, how could Liu Bei not do his best to avenge himself when Yuan Shao gave him a chance?
Yuan Shao understood Xin Ping's meaning and laughed, "Zhongzhi is right! Xuande has come from afar, how could I not avenge him? I wonder what Xuande thinks?"

The people of Hebei are no pushovers.

Xin Ping's roundabout approach led Liu Bei directly into a ditch.

After a moment's thought, Liu Bei pretended to be in a difficult position: "I should not refuse the general's kind invitation. However, I only have three hundred new soldiers under my command, who are not capable of great things. If chaos breaks out on the battlefield, it will ruin everything."

The implication was: How dare I, with only three hundred ragtag men, fight against Cao Cao's elite troops! If we flee in fear on the battlefield and collide with the main army, then you, General, will suffer a loss of face.

Yuan Shao laughed loudly: "If I let Xuande lead three hundred new soldiers to the battlefield, wouldn't outsiders mistakenly think that I want to harm Xuande? When we return to the Liyang camp, I will allocate a battalion of cavalry to Xuande to command!"

A cavalry battalion consists of anywhere from five hundred to one thousand riders.

If it can be kept for one's own use
Liu Bei's breathing quickened involuntarily.

Zhuge Liang did not want Liu Bei to bring his troops to see Yuan Shao, not only because he wanted to preserve the strength of the White Feather Army, but also because he did not want Liu Bei to have to go to the battlefield after arriving at the Liyang camp.

The sword has no eyes on the battlefield.

If Liu Bei were to suffer a mishap on the battlefield, even Zhuge Liang would be helpless afterward.

However, Yuan Shao's offer of a battalion of cavalry tempted Liu Bei, making him unable to resist the urge to take a risk.

Liu Bei was not a coward who feared death!
Liu Bei was truly willing to risk his life if the benefits were great enough!

Although Guan Yu and Zhang Fei did not come along, Liu Bei still had Huang Zhong by his side, who was no less capable than Guan Yu and Zhang Fei and was also skilled in riding and archery!
We should follow Wen Chou to Yan Jin to pick up some scraps, and then take the opportunity to show both kindness and force to the cavalry battalion assigned by Yuan Shao. Even if there are risks, they will be within an acceptable range.

Fearing that Yuan Shao would see through his scheme, Liu Bei didn't hesitate for long before replying, "If the General is willing to allocate a battalion of cavalry to me, I will certainly take the head of one of Cao Cao's generals and present it to you!"

Yuan Shao then raised his cup and asked, "Would Guan Yu and Zhang Fei like to accompany Xuande?"

Judging from his tone, Yuan Shao still hadn't forgotten his idea of ​​summoning Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to his tent for service.

It would be foolish not to use a valiant general.

Clearly, Yuan Shao was not stupid.

But Liu Bei was prepared, so he feigned arrogance: "If Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were to assist me, they would neither be able to demonstrate my military leadership nor the bravery of the northern troops. The cavalry that I and the General have assigned are sufficient for this battle!"

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(End of this chapter)