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

Chapter 89 Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang reunite to welcome your king (1st update)
"Strategist, what did my elder brother say in his letter?"

Zhang Fei stood on tiptoe, his large head darting closer to Zhuge Liang.

Although Guan Yu did not get up, his trembling earlobes revealed that he was concentrating intently, secretly paying attention to the contents of the letter.

"General, you will arrive in Gaotang tomorrow." Zhuge Liang said succinctly, and then added as he looked at Zhang Fei's widening eyes, "Although you have gained Yuan Shao's cavalry, you have not forgotten us all."

Zhuge Liang's tone was slightly teasing as he responded to Zhang Fei's earlier remark, "It's probably because my brother got Yuan Shao's cavalry and forgot about us."

"Don't tease me, strategist." Zhang Fei chuckled and "snatched" the bamboo slip. After confirming that Liu Bei would arrive in Gaotang the next day, he became radiant: "It's better to be lucky than early. I just returned to Gaotang and my brother is back soon."

Guan Yu lifted his forehead again.

When you first came back, Third Brother, you didn't say that!

"Strategist, there are still a few imperfections in the maps and records of mountains, rivers, astronomy, and meteorology I've drawn, so I won't bother you any longer. Second Brother, please keep the strategist company; I'll head back now." Zhang Fei put down the bamboo slips, bowed respectfully to Zhuge Liang, and then asked Guan Yu to stay.

"Third brother!" Guan Yu pointed with his finger, feeling quite helpless, as he watched Zhang Fei leave in a hurry.

Zhuge Liang picked up the official document he hadn't finished reviewing earlier, and laughed as he read it: "Zhang, the registrar, is truly a man of character."

Seeing that Zhuge Liang was still staying up all night, Guan Yu stepped forward and advised, "Strategist, you should get some rest earlier."

"There are only a few copies left, it's not too late to read them." Zhuge Liang hummed in agreement, his attention returning to the official documents.

Not wanting to disturb him, and fearing that Zhuge Liang's mention of "several portions" was just a figure of speech, Guan Yu returned to his seat and quietly read the contents of the letter.

[It's my older brother's handwriting.]

Guan Yu stroked his magnificent beard, seemingly enjoying it.

Although it was just an ordinary letter, Guan Yu gave it an elegant name: Calligraphy Masterpiece!

【Huh? 】

When Guan Yu saw the words "fortunate to meet Zilong" in the letter, his phoenix eyes opened instantly, and he subconsciously thought of Zhuge Liang's words: "I know some divination skills, and I predict that General Zuo will not only be safe on his way to Liyang, but will also meet his old friends in Hebei."

[Could the strategist really be so good at predicting the future?]

Guan Yu looked at Zhuge Liang, who was engrossed in reviewing official documents, with astonishment. He rubbed his eyes and looked again at the four characters "Fortunately, I met Zilong" in the letter to make sure he wasn't seeing things.

If it weren't for the fear of disturbing Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu would have wanted to ask Zhuge Liang directly about the art of divination.

In his astonishment, Guan Yu recalled his past with Zhao Yun, including their first meeting, their acquaintance, their friendship, and their parting.

After Dong Zhuo burned Luoyang, Yuan Shao, in order to realize his ambition of "conquering the world in the south", first seized Ji Province and then fought with Yuan Shu, so that the people of Ji Province suffered greatly from military service.

Zhao Yun believed that Yuan Shao was not governing well in Ji Province, so he led the local militia and soldiers to join Gongsun Zan, who was known for fighting against the Wuhuan and protecting the people.

At that time, Liu Bei also relied on Gongsun Zan, and he became close friends with Zhao Yun at first sight. When Gongsun Zan sent Liu Bei to assist Tian Kai in resisting Yuan Shao, Zhao Yun took charge of Liu Bei's cavalry.

However, Zhao Yun later came to believe that Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao were birds of a feather, both unwilling to practice benevolent governance. So, he used the pretext of his brother's death to leave Gongsun Zan and parted ways with Liu Bei from then on.

After that, Guan Yu never heard of Zhao Yun's whereabouts again.

Unexpectedly, after nearly ten years, news of Zhao Yun's whereabouts resurfaced, and this time, Zhao Yun officially joined his elder brother's side.

Perhaps because Guan Yu remained seated in the hall, Zhuge Liang ceased his work after reviewing the remaining documents.

"I, Guan, will escort the strategist back to his residence to rest." Seeing Zhuge Liang rise, Guan Yu also rose and said respectfully. Zhuge Liang couldn't help but laugh and said, "Does Commander Guan not trust me? General, you will be returning tomorrow, and I will certainly need to go back to my residence to rest and recharge."

"Strategist, you've misunderstood. I was merely escorting someone along the way," Guan Yu said gently, bowing his head to conceal his misunderstanding.

It's true that he was escorting Zhuge Liang along the way, and it's also true that he was afraid Zhuge Liang would continue reviewing official documents as soon as he left, but Guan Yu would never admit it.

Zhuge Liang was not lying, and returned home to rest under Guan Yu's "escort."

On the second day.

Zhuge Liang then led Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Pang Tong, Chen Zhen, and others out of the city to wait.

From afar, one could see the large banner with the character "Liu" fluttering in the wind.

After two months away, Liu Bei finally returned, much to everyone's delight.

"Welcome, General!"

Zhuge Liang and the others bowed in unison.

Liu Bei laughed and jumped off his horse, quickly walking to the crowd and greeting them one by one.

Then Zhao Yun and Xin Zhe were introduced to the group.

It’s fun!

This scene surprised Xin Zhe quite a bit.

When Xin Zhe served as a clerk under Yuan Shao, he often witnessed civil and military officials such as Ju Shou, Tian Feng, Yan Liang, and Wen Chou clashing, and their private conflicts were even more intense.

Looking at Liu Bei's civil and military officials, it was as if they were old friends reuniting!
Xin Zhe was even more shocked when his gaze fell on Zhuge Liang.

Xin Zhe had always thought that Zhuge Liang, the genius Liu Bei spoke of who was rare in the world, was about the same age as Ju Shou, Tian Feng, and others.

I never imagined that Zhuge Liang was still under twenty!

And Xin Zhe is already twenty-three this year!
Upon seeing that Zhuge Liang's demeanor and speech were no less than those of a renowned scholar from a prominent family, Xin Zhe couldn't help but marvel: to be valued so highly by the General of the Left, he must truly be extraordinary!
While Xin Zhe was observing Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Liang also learned about Xin Zhe's background and position from Liu Bei. He immediately understood Liu Bei's intention: to make Xin Zhe, who was leaving his father's wings for the first time, feel like he was coming home in Gaotang!

It might be difficult for outsiders.

For a wise man with over fifty years of experience and a knack for dealing with people, it was a piece of cake!
In just a few words, Zhuge Liang made Xin Zhe feel the care from Liu Bei's civil and military officials, and even Guan Yu, who always looked down on scholars, expressed his respect to Xin Zhe.

At the banquet held to welcome Liu Bei and his entourage, Xin Zhe felt even more care and concern, as if he were meeting old friends again rather than meeting them for the first time!
Looking at Xin Zhe, who was getting along well with everyone, playing the zither, the bell, the flute, the liubo, and the tossing game, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang smiled at each other.

Halfway through the banquet, Liu Bei invited Zhuge Liang to use the restroom together, and they got up and went outside the hall.

Seeing the worry in Liu Bei's eyes, Zhuge Liang asked again, "I wonder what troubles you, General? Can I help you resolve your doubts?"

"Alas—" Liu Bei sighed deeply: "I am truly worried that the people will suffer from the conflict between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, and I fear that the disaster of famine in the Jianghuai region in the past will be repeated."

Thinking back to the past when Yuan Shu's power declined, the people deserted him, and there was a drought and famine, the people were starving and freezing, and the soldiers could only eat straw to stave off hunger. At the worst time, people in the Jianghuai region even resorted to cannibalism.

Thinking of the people along the way who had hidden themselves in the mountains and fields to avoid taxes and corvée labor, Liu Bei couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow.

(End of this chapter)