Reborn Liu Bei: I'll lead this Three Kingdoms to victory!

Chapter Sixty-Nine Xun Qu

On the tenth day of the fifth month of the seventh year of Jian'an, a mourning hall was set up in a small courtyard west of Xudu City.

The mourning hall was very simple, with no funeral banners or elaborate decorations. There was only a memorial tablet standing there, with a few plates of fruit and a stick of incense in front of it. The tablet read: "The Memorial Tablet of Xun Gongqu".

Zhao Yan knelt before the coffin, motionless. He had been kneeling for a whole night and a day, from yesterday afternoon until now, without eating or drinking. Zhou Yuan stood at the door, watching his back, wanting to offer words of comfort but unsure what to say. There were a few other people in the courtyard, all of whom were secret agents personally contacted by Xun Qu before his death. They stood in a corner, heads bowed, and no one spoke.

Footsteps sounded outside the door. Zhou Yuan looked up and saw a man enter. He was in his early twenties, dressed in plain white mourning clothes, his eyes red and swollen, his face streaked with tears—Xun Yun had arrived from Xiapi. Upon receiving the news, he said nothing, mounted his horse, and rode towards Xuchang. He rode for a day and a night, switching horses when they collapsed from exhaustion. But when he arrived here, standing before this simple mourning hall, he stopped. He looked at the memorial tablet, at the words on it, a lump forming in his throat.

Zhao Yan turned around and saw him: "Young Master Xun." Xun Yun didn't respond, but walked step by step to the altar, knelt down, and kowtowed heavily. His forehead hit the brick on the ground with a dull thud, then he kowtowed again and again. Zhao Yan reached out to stop him, but Xun Yun pushed him away. He kowtowed nine times, the most solemn tribute of the Xun family. After finishing, he straightened up, looked at the memorial tablet, and said in a hoarse voice, like sandpaper rubbing against stone: "Uncle, your nephew is late." No one spoke in the mourning hall. The wind blew in, knocking the ash off the incense sticks.

At noon, Liu Bei arrived. He brought only two people, with Pang Tong and a few personal guards following at a distance. Dressed in simple clothes, he entered the courtyard and stood before the memorial tablet. Zhao Yan was about to rise to pay his respects, but Liu Bei pressed him down: "Don't move, let me offer incense first." He took the incense from Zhou Yuan, lit it, and placed it in the incense burner. Then he stepped back, gazing at the memorial tablet for a long time. "Xun Qu," he said softly, "I remember the Xun family."

Xun Yun knelt beside him, head bowed, shoulders trembling slightly. Liu Bei turned to look at him: "You are Xun Yun?" Xun Yun raised his head, his eyes red-rimmed: "Yes." "Your father was Xun Yu, your uncle was Xun Qu," Liu Bei's voice was calm, "Two generations of the Xun family have done so much for me." Xun Yun didn't know how to answer, he just knelt there. Liu Bei reached out and helped him up: "Don't kneel anymore. Your uncle is gone, but the Xun family still exists. You are the eldest son of the Xun family, it's time to uphold its authority."

Xun Yun stood up, looking at the man before him. He had met Liu Bei once, outside Xiapi, when Liu Bei stood there seeing Xun Qu off. At that time, he only thought the man was gentle, like an elder; now he understood that beneath that gentleness lay decades of hardship. "My lord," he began, and Liu Bei looked at him. "My uncle… what did he say last?" Liu Bei was silent for a moment, then took something from his robes. It was a jade pendant with the character "Xun" engraved on it. He handed the pendant to Xun Yun: "He had someone give this to me. He said, 'The Xun family has not disgraced me.'"

Xun Yun took the jade pendant and held it in his hand. The jade was cool, but he felt it was burning hot, so hot it hurt his palm. He didn't cry, he just held the jade pendant tightly.

At Shenshi (3-5 PM), in the small courtyard outside the mourning hall, Zhao Yan sat on the stone steps with a bowl of porridge in front of him, brought by Zhou Yuan, which he couldn't refuse. He drank a few mouthfuls, then put it down, looking at the people in the courtyard. More than a dozen of Xun Qu's men had come today; they were all his personal contacts, hidden agents who had been in hiding for years, even decades. They stood in the courtyard, some standing, some squatting, some leaning against the wall, but no one left. They were waiting—waiting for an explanation, waiting for arrangements.

Xun Yun came out of the house and sat down next to Zhao Yan. "Mr. Zhao, did your uncle entrust those men to you?" Zhao Yan nodded: "One hundred and thirty-seven. I counted them one by one when I took over. Eighty-two are still in Xuchang, and the rest are scattered in Yecheng, Luoyang, and Yingchuan." Xun Yun was silent for a moment: "How can I help?" Zhao Yan looked at him: "Young Master Xun, you've just arrived, rest for a few days." Xun Yun shook his head: "I can't rest. My uncle hid in this city for twenty years and finally died here. I want to do something for him." Zhao Yan thought for a moment: "Then come with me tomorrow to see those eighty-two people. Let them know that the Xun family is still around." Xun Yun nodded: "Okay."

At dusk, in the Prime Minister's residence within the inner city. Cao Cao's body had already been placed in the coffin, and the mourning hall was set up in the main hall. Few people came to pay their respects; they were all his former subordinates. Xiahou Dun knelt at the very front, Cao Ren knelt beside him, and Cheng Yu stood silently in a corner. Zheng, the steward, entered from outside, walked to Xiahou Dun's side, and whispered a few words. Xiahou Dun's expression changed upon hearing this, and he stood up and walked out.

A man stood outside the door, Zhou Yuan. "General Xiahou," Zhou Yuan bowed, "my master sent me to deliver a message: Xun Qu's funeral is over. My master said that Cao Cao and Xun Qu fought their whole lives, but now they're both gone, and their grudges are settled." Xiahou Dun remained silent. Zhou Yuan waited a while, and seeing he didn't speak, added, "As for that jade pendant, Cao Cao had Zhao return it to the Xun family, and Young Master Xun accepted it." Xiahou Dun still didn't speak. Zhou Yuan turned and left. Xiahou Dun stood at the door, watching his retreating figure for a long time.

At the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), in a private residence in the west of the city, Zhao Yan sat with a book spread out in front of him. It was filled with 137 names, each with a note explaining when they joined the network, their current location, their responsibilities, and their special skills. This book was the most valuable thing Xun Qu had left him.

The door opened, and Xun Yun walked in and sat down opposite him. "Mr. Zhao, I want to ask you something. How long have you been following my uncle?" Zhao Yan thought for a moment, "Three months. I hadn't seen him before he came out." Xun Yun was taken aback, "Three months? Then how did you…?" Zhao Yan finished for him, "How did you take over this group of people? He taught them quickly, and I learned quickly, it's that simple." Xun Yun fell silent. "He trusts you," he finally said. Zhao Yan nodded, "He trusts me, so I can't let anything happen to those people." He closed the ledger and put it in his robes, "Young Master Xun, tomorrow I'll take you to see someone." Xun Yun looked at him, "Who?" "Wang Wu, the one at the west gate, the first one to open the gate. He wants to see you."

By 9 PM, Xuchang had quieted down. The White Horse Cavalry still patrolled the streets, but far fewer than in the previous days. The people began to return to their normal lives; those who wanted to do business did so, and those who wanted to go home went to sleep. The inner city gates were also opened, and Xiahou Dun led the remaining few thousand men to retreat and encamp outside the city. Liu Bei did not make things difficult for them, allowing them to take their weapons and even providing them with a month's worth of rations. Xuchang, finally, truly belonged to the Liu family.

In the mourning hall of the small courtyard in the west of the city, the incense was still burning. Xun Yun knelt before the coffin, not leaving. He stared at the memorial tablet, at the words on it, his mind blank. He didn't know what he was thinking. His father was dead, his uncle was dead, and two generations of the Xun family had spent twenty years doing the same thing. Now the task was done, and the people were gone.

He remembered his father's final days, sitting alone in the courtyard, gazing at the plum tree, saying nothing. He remembered his uncle standing outside Xiapi city, telling him to "live well," before turning and disappearing into the twilight. They both knew they would die, yet they still went.

"Young Master Xun." A voice came from behind. Xun Yun turned around. Zhou Yuan stood at the door, holding a bowl of hot soup. "Have some, you have things to do tomorrow." Xun Yun took the soup and took a sip. The soup was hot, warming his stomach. "Zhou Yuan, how long have you been working for my uncle?" Zhou Yuan thought for a moment. "Half a year. He sent me to the Imperial Academy as a handyman, and I went. He only came three times, each time delivering messages." Xun Yun was silent. Half a year, three months—such short periods, yet these people were willing to work for him. "What kind of person is he?" Xun Yun asked. Zhou Yuan thought for a moment. "He's not very talkative, but he always keeps his word, and he always gets things done."

Xun Yun didn't ask any more questions. He finished his soup and returned the bowl to Zhou Yuan: "Tomorrow, go see that Wang Wu."

---

At dawn, the sky began to lighten with the first hint of white. In the mourning hall of the small courtyard in the west of the city, the last incense stick had burned out. Xun Yun stood up and walked into the courtyard. The sun was rising, bathing the courtyard walls in gold. Zhao Yan was already waiting in the courtyard: "Let's go." The two walked out of the courtyard and into Xuchang in the early morning.

There were already pedestrians on the street; a vendor selling steamed buns walked by on his shoulder pole, and steam rose from the breakfast stalls, with several children chasing after him. Everything was the same as before, yet everything seemed different. Xun Yun suddenly remembered his father's words: "The world will get better." He didn't know if things were "better" now, but he knew that people were fighting desperately for that "better." That was enough.

On the twelfth day of the fifth month of the seventh year of Jian'an, in Xuchang, Liu Bei stood atop the city wall, gazing upon the city that had just become his own. From his vantage point, he could see the streets of the outer city, the outline of the inner city, and the undulating rooftops and wisps of smoke in the distance. People were walking on the streets, shops were open, and vendors selling steamed buns carried their wares on shoulder poles, calling out their wares—it was much the same as before the war, yet everything was different.

"My lord." Footsteps sounded behind him. Liu Bei turned around and saw Pang Tong walking up, carrying the wine gourd he never parted with. "Zhuge Liang has arrived. He just entered the city and is waiting outside the palace gate." Liu Bei nodded, glanced down at the city walls, and turned to walk down.

---

Outside the palace gates, Zhuge Liang stood there, travel-worn and weary, but his eyes still shone. Seeing Liu Bei emerge, he quickly went to greet him and bowed deeply, saying, "Teacher." Liu Bei helped him up and looked him over, saying, "You've lost weight." Zhuge Liang smiled, "The food in Qingzhou isn't as fragrant as the food in Liaodong." Liu Bei smiled as well, "Let's go inside and talk."

In the side hall, several people sat in a circle. Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, Zhao Yun, Xu Shu, and Xun You, who had come all the way from Xiapi, were present. He sat in the corner, holding the unfinished volume of the *Han Dian* in his hand, but did not open it. Liu Bei recounted recent events: Cao Cao's death, the surrender of the inner city, the stabilization of Xuchang, and Xun Qu.

After listening, Zhuge Liang remained silent for a while. "Teacher, I just received the news that Cao Pi has succeeded to the throne in Hebei. Xiahou Yuan is still locked in a stalemate with Ma Teng in Xiliang and won't be able to return anytime soon. In Ye City, the people are in a state of panic." Pang Tong took a swig of wine. "Cao Pi? The one who wrote the poem?" Zhuge Liang nodded. Pang Tong said, "He can't control him. Cao Cao has just died, and his former subordinates are all harboring their own ambitions. Although Xiahou Dun has surrendered, Cao Ren is still guarding Ye City with his troops; they won't easily relinquish power."

Xu Shu spoke up: "In Xiliang, Ma Teng is still fighting. What will he do if he knows Cao Cao is dead?" Pang Tong thought for a moment: "That old bastard Ma Teng was fighting under the banner of punishing Cao Cao. Now that Cao Cao is dead, if he's smart, he should withdraw his troops and talk to us. His son Ma Chao is still in our hands—no, in Xuchang." Zhao Yun said: "Ma Chao is still in Xuchang, under house arrest. Cao Pi didn't take him with him when he left." Liu Bei looked at Zhao Yun: "Where is Ma Chao now?" "In a house in the inner city, guarded by someone. Cao Pi wanted to kill him before he left, but he didn't have time, and his men saved him." Liu Bei nodded: "Keep him for now, he might come in handy."

---

At noon, the group dispersed, each going about their own business. Zhuge Liang remained in the side hall, sitting opposite Liu Bei. "Teacher," he began, using the same address he had used years before. Liu Bei looked at him. "In Qingzhou, the commercial tax law is almost fully implemented. Tax revenue in the first half of this year is 40% higher than the same period last year. The powerful clans have protested a few times, but they've all been suppressed." Liu Bei nodded: "Well done."

Zhuge Liang was silent for a moment. "Teacher, before I came back, I heard about Mr. Xun Qu." Liu Bei didn't speak. Zhuge Liang continued, "The Xun family has helped us a lot." "Yes," Liu Bei said, "Xun Yu, Xun You, Xun Qu... three generations of the Xun family have been fighting desperately for the Han Dynasty." He paused. "Do you know what Xun Qu said in the end?" Zhuge Liang shook his head. "He said that the Xun family has not disgraced me." Liu Bei paused again. "Xun Yun is in Xuchang now, with Zhao Yan taking him. Go and see him." Zhuge Liang nodded.

---

It was late afternoon, in that small courtyard in the west of the city. Xun Yun sat inside, Zhao Yan's ledger spread out before him. One hundred and thirty-seven names—he looked through them one by one, memorizing them. There was a knock at the door. Zhou Yuan went to open it and led in a person. Fifteen or sixteen years old, with delicate features, dressed in ordinary clothes, but it was clear at a glance that he was no ordinary person.

"Young Master Xun." The newcomer bowed. "I am Zhuge Liang." Xun Yun was taken aback for a moment, then quickly stood up to return the greeting: "Master Zhuge...?" He didn't know how to address him; the man before him was a few years younger than himself, but his fame had already spread throughout the land. Zhuge Liang smiled: "Just call me Kongming. Master Xun, I've come to see you."

Xun Yun didn't know what to say. Zhuge Liang walked to the window, looking out at the courtyard: "I've heard about your uncle's affair. Many people remember what he did." Xun Yun remained silent. Zhuge Liang turned to look at him: "When I was seven, my teacher started teaching me. He said the world would get better. I didn't understand then, but now I think I understand a little." Xun Yun looked up: "What do you understand?"

Zhuge Liang thought for a moment, "Understanding a person can lead to many things. Xun Yu did it for twenty years, and your uncle did it for twenty years. What they did is now right before us." He pointed to the ground, "This city was built by them." Xun Yun's eyes reddened, but he didn't cry. "Kongming," he began, and Zhuge Liang looked at him, "I want to stay and follow Mr. Zhao to guide those people well." Zhuge Liang nodded, "Alright."

---

At dusk, in the imperial palace, Emperor Liu Xie sat on his throne, a newly drafted edict spread out before him. He had read it three times, his hand trembling with excitement each time, not from fear. "General Liu Bei, loyal, brave, and virtuous, has restored the Han Dynasty, his achievements unparalleled throughout the world. Now, he is specially appointed Grand General, Governor of Ji Province, granted the privilege of being received without being called by name, entering the court without hastening, wearing a sword and shoes in the palace, and overseeing all military affairs, both inside and outside the capital." These words, previously reserved for Cao Cao, were now addressed to Liu Bei.

"Your Majesty," a eunuch's voice came from the side, "Lord Liu has arrived." Liu Xie raised his head. Liu Bei entered, stood in the center of the hall, and bowed: "Your subject greets Your Majesty." Liu Xie looked at him for a long time, then stood up, stepped down from the throne, and personally handed the edict to Liu Bei: "Lord Liu, this is all I can give you." Liu Bei took the edict, glanced at it, and then knelt down: "Your subject receives the decree." Liu Xie reached out to help him up: "Rise, you don't need to kneel anymore."

---

At the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), Xuchang City had quieted down. Liu Bei stood alone on the city wall. A cool night breeze blew by, carrying the scent of early summer. Pang Tong, who had appeared sometime earlier, stood beside him: "My lord, what are you thinking about?" Liu Bei looked at the scattered lights in the distance: "I'm thinking about where to go next."

Pang Tong took a swig of wine. "Jingzhou." Liu Bei turned to look at him. Pang Tong put down his wine gourd. "Liu Biao is dying. Jingzhou has eight commanderies; once he dies, chaos will surely ensue. Cao Cao kept a close eye on that area when he was alive, but now that Cao Cao is dead, Cao Pi can't afford to go there. If we don't go, someone else will." Liu Bei remained silent. Pang Tong continued, "Taking Jingzhou will give us a gateway to the south. Liu Zhang in Yizhou is an easy target; it's only a matter of time. Sun Quan of Jiangdong won't make a move for now; he's waiting to see how things develop."

Liu Bei remained silent for a long time before speaking, "You're right." He turned to look at Pang Tong, "Then let's take Jingzhou first." Pang Tong smiled, "That's right."

---

At 9 PM, in the small courtyard west of the city, Xun Yun was still sitting under the lamp, flipping through the ledger. Wang Wu would be coming to see him tomorrow, along with Sun Fu, Zhou Yuan, and those he hadn't met yet. One hundred and thirty-seven names, one hundred and thirty-seven people—his uncle had accumulated this list over twenty years; he couldn't let anything happen to them.

"Young Master Xun." Zhao Yan's voice came from the doorway. Xun Yun looked up. Zhao Yan walked in and sat down opposite him: "Have you thought it through?" Xun Yun nodded: "I have." Zhao Yan looked at him: "This path is not easy. Your uncle walked it for twenty years and finally died here. You are only in your early twenties, you have many years to live. Think it through."

Xun Yun was silent for a moment, then spoke, "When my father passed away, there was nothing I could do. When my uncle passed away, there was nothing I could do either." He looked at Zhao Yan, "Now I want to do something." Zhao Yan didn't try to persuade him further, and took out the jade pendant from his pocket—the one Xun Qu had left him—and placed it in front of Xun Yun: "Keep this." Xun Yun was stunned for a moment: "This is my uncle's..." "His is yours too," Zhao Yan said, "Take it." Xun Yun picked up the jade pendant; it was still cool, but he felt that it was getting a little warm.