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

Chapter 75 discusses the importance of humble and respectful interactions; Liu Bei was the most professional in this regard at the end of the Han Dynasty.

Inside the tent.

Xin Zhe was eating the rice in his bowl by himself.

Yesterday, Xin Zhe was corrected by Xin Ping. Although he understood Xin Ping's intention, he still had a rebellious mentality.

The most prominent characteristic of a young man like Xin Zhe, who comes from an extraordinary family and has a wealthy background, is that he is unwilling to be constrained by his elders and is eager to forge a different path from his elders to prove himself and get rid of the label of "so-and-so's son".

Xin Zhe's idea is in line with common sense.

When people are well-fed and clothed, they can think of lofty ambitions.

Once people have enough to eat and wear, they begin to seek spiritual fulfillment.

While eating.

Xu Shu's voice rang out from outside: "Is Commandant Xin here?"

Xin Zhe was pleasantly surprised and agreed, then got up and left the tent.

Both being from Yingchuan and having left their hometowns, and given Xu Shu's exceptional talent and witty remarks, Xin Zhe and Xu Shu got along very well last night, almost to the point of calling each other sworn brothers.

As soon as Xin Zhe stepped out of the tent, he saw Xu Shu holding a rice bowl, and Liu Bei also holding a rice bowl.

General Zuo?
Xin Zhe was stunned.

Liu Bei laughed and said, "I was able to sleep soundly last night thanks to the hard work of Commandant Xin."

Xin Zhe felt a sense of closeness to her warm smile and unrestrained words.

“Protecting the Left General is my duty.” Xin Zhe bowed respectfully to Liu Bei, recalling Xin Ping’s teachings and corrections.

Yesterday, Xin Ping talked until he was hoarse, and Xin Zhe agreed with the statement, "When the Grand General is present, he listens to the Grand General; when the Grand General is absent, he listens to the Left General; if the Left General is at odds with the Grand General, he listens to the Grand General."

“We’re all brothers, no need for formalities.” Liu Bei, holding a rice bowl in one hand and helping Xin Zhe up with the other, said, “If Commander Xin doesn’t mind my rough manners, would you be willing to come into my tent for a chat?”

Xin Zhe hurriedly led Liu Bei inside.

Seeing the unfinished food on the table, Xin Zhe quickly said, "General Zuo, please wait a moment, I will have someone clean it up right away."

Liu Bei stopped him, saying, "In the military camp, all formalities should be kept simple. I've already brought my rice bowl and was about to eat at the same table with Commandant Xin. Yuanzhi, don't stand there either."

Xu Shu smiled, strode forward, and then called to Xin Zhe, "Captain Xin, the Left General is not fond of formalities, please sit down as well."

Xin Zhe was even more surprised to see that although Liu Bei and Xu Shu were lord and subject, they did not strictly adhere to the etiquette of lord and subject sitting and eating together, but instead sat and ate at the same table as friends.

After a few moments of contemplation, Xin Zhe no longer stood on ceremony and sat down to eat with them.

Throughout history, the dining table has been the easiest place to bring people closer together.

In just a short while, Xin Zhe lost his initial restraint and began chatting and laughing with Liu Bei.

Although Xin Zhe greatly admired Ban Chao for his courage in abandoning his pen for the sword, Liu Bei, a man of great talent for judging character, could see through his true nature:

Xin Zhe's admiration for Ban Chao was influenced by the "romantic" accounts in books. In reality, he knew very little about the cruelty of the battlefield. If he had actually witnessed the cruelty of the battlefield, Xin Zhe might not have continued to admire Ban Chao.

Therefore.

Instead of echoing Xin Zhe's praise of Ban Chao, Liu Bei used Lu Zhi, who was skilled in both literature and martial arts, as an example to demonstrate that a true Confucian scholar should possess the talent and character of "being able to quell rebellions on horseback, govern the country on foot, be trustworthy and righteous, and be loyal in times of crisis."

If others said that, Xin Zhe would probably scoff at it.

However, Liu Bei was a disciple of Lu Zhi, and had received over six thousand volumes of books from Zheng Xuan, a renowned scholar from Dongzhou. He was also personally welcomed by Yuan Shao and treated as an honored guest. Liu Bei's words were the words of famous scholars, giving Xin Zhe the feeling that "listening to General Zuo's words is better than reading books for ten years."

In addition, Liu Bei had extensive experience, traveling from Youzhou to Jizhou, from Jizhou to Qingzhou, from Qingzhou to Xuzhou, and from Xuzhou to Yuzhou, covering more than ten thousand miles.
He could chat with street vendors about the joys and sorrows of life, and discuss the state of the nation with princes and ministers. His vision and knowledge far surpassed those of Xin Zhe, who was inexperienced in the ways of the world.

Liu Bei answered Xin Zhe's questions about military life without reservation, giving Xin Zhe a more direct understanding of the military.

"The General used a feint attack strategy, openly ordering 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."

"Cao Cao fell into the trap and retreated in panic. What a delightful thing!"

During the conversation, Liu Bei suddenly began to praise Yuan Shao highly.

Xu Shu also laughed: "With the great generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou, what is there to fear from Cao Cao! Cao Cao's defeat is only natural."

Xin Zhe was puzzled by what the two were saying.

Did Cao Cao fall into the trap and retreat in panic?

Why is it different from what I heard?
"Where did you hear, General Zuo, that 'Cao Cao fell into a trap and retreated in panic'?" Xin Zhe couldn't help but ask.

"It was Xin who said it." Liu Bei replied without hesitation, then asked in surprise, "Does Commandant Xin not know?"

Xin Zhe's eyes widened instantly.

Could it be what my father said?

Why did my father deceive General Zuo?

Xin Zhe was even more puzzled.

Seeing Xin Zhe's unusual expression, Xu Shu feigned doubt: "Could it be that the military intelligence is incorrect?"

After stammering for a while, Xin Zhe finally revealed the truth: "As far as I know, General Yan's attack on Baima failed, and he returned with only a hundred or so riders."

Xu Shu feigned great surprise: "General Yan's attack on Baima has failed? How could this be? How could Xin, the subordinate official, deceive the Left General!"

Xin Zhe felt his neck burning as he listened.

The more pleasant his conversation with Liu Bei had been, the more ashamed Xin Zhe felt now.

"It's not that Xin is deceiving me," Liu Bei first affirmed, then offered a reason for Xin's assessment: "It's that when a large army goes on an expedition, morale is paramount. If Xin had bluntly stated that Yan Liang had been defeated, it would have severely damaged the army's morale. Xin prioritizes the overall situation over minor details; he is truly a wise man!"

Liu Bei's lavish praise of Xin Ping only intensified Xin Zhe's shame.

There is no better way to repay injustice than this.

Immediately afterwards, Liu Bei reassured Xin Zhe: "Commander Xin, do not worry. Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. General, your army is strong, so a small defeat is nothing to worry about. From now on, when you go to the battlefield, you will stay behind me, and I will protect you."

Hearing Liu Bei's concern, Xin Zhe was moved, but also felt ashamed: "But I am the Cavalry Commandant, how can I hide behind the Left General?"

Liu Bei laughed: "Commander Xin is not hiding behind me, but observing and learning. You have not yet truly experienced the dangers of the battlefield, so don't put too much pressure on yourself. As a general, the first thing you must learn is to remain calm and composed in the face of danger."

In just a few words, Liu Bei soothed Xin Zhe's emotions, which moved Xin Zhe even more. Xin Zhe clasped his hands as if making a vow: "It is my good fortune to have met General Zuo. I am willing to obey General Zuo's orders."

In just one meal, Xin Zhe's feelings for Liu Bei changed from "nodding acquaintances" to "close friends," and he couldn't help but secretly marvel: General Zuo's magnanimity is beyond the reach of ordinary people!

Xin Zhe continued talking until Yuan Shao sent someone to invite Liu Bei into the main tent for further discussion, still feeling that the conversation was not yet over.

"I must go see the General first, please excuse me." Liu Bei stood up, bowed to Xin Zhe, and then instructed Xu Shu: "Yuanzhi, take good care of Commandant Xin for me, and do not neglect him."

　Asking for monthly ticket
　　
　
(End of this chapter)