He originally intended to surrender to Wei, so why did he end up restoring Han?

The two whispered amongst themselves in their dialect for a while before the clerk turned to Zhang Liao, his face showing a completely insincere distress: "Military Advisor, as you've heard, it seems we won't be able to find them all in a short time. How about this? You go back to your post first, and we'll search carefully and deliver them to you once we find them?"

Zhang Liao took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart. He said calmly, "There's no need to trouble you two. Let's talk about it when we find it."

After saying that, Zhang Liao ignored the two clerks' replies and strode away from the storeroom.

Back in his duty room, Zhang Liao felt a lump in his throat, making him feel suffocated and uncomfortable.

When Guan Yu heard that Zhang Liao had encountered a stumbling block on his first day at work, he immediately brought two jugs of wine to comfort him: "Wen Yuan, I have heard about what happened today. It was indeed those people from Xuzhou who deliberately made things difficult for you, so that you would give up."

Guan Yu said, "Wen Yuan, you don't need to worry. Your elder brother, myself, Chen Changwen, Lu Wenyuan, and Chen Jibi all support you. It's just that we can't openly oppose the people of Xuzhou because of internal unity."

Zhang Liao tilted his head back, drank a cup of wine, smacked his lips, and said, "I understand, but it's understandable to feel a little disappointed to encounter something like this on the first day."

Guan Yu didn't know how to persuade him, so he could only offer Zhang Liao cup after cup of wine.

--------

After completing his mission, Sun Qian did not return to Xuzhou with Guan Yu and Zhang Liao immediately. Instead, he stayed in Cao Cao's camp to prepare for the next round of negotiations.

"Where has Xuande been making his fortune lately? His 'Jian'an tax certificates' have all ended up in my hands." Cao Cao said this seemingly casually, but in reality, he was expressing his dissatisfaction.

Liu Bei's invisible hand has stretched too far; in parts of Yu and Yan provinces, Jian'an tax certificates have begun to replace Wuzhu coins. Of course, only wealthy and powerful families dare to do this; ordinary people, due to years of war, still have more faith in precious metals.

Liu Bei's two sets of economic iron fists, one for internal and one for external purposes, were truly terrifying. Now that Qingzhou had settled down, many places had started using Jian'an tax certificates for settlement. In other words, Liu Bei simply printed some paper and exchanged various goods from Qingzhou for them. Moreover, Wang Xiu, a subordinate of Yuan Tan, was also clever. Seeing that these certificates were really convenient and not easy to counterfeit, he began to turn Qingzhou into a transit point and act as a middleman.

They traded with Xuzhou to obtain Jian'an tax coupons, then used these coupons to buy old grain in Hebei at a lower price, and finally sold the old grain back to Xuzhou.

If the powerful families of Hebei had sold their goods directly to other warlords, they would certainly have faced severe repercussions. But now, these families are selling their supplies to Yuan Tan, the governor of Qing Province and son of Yuan Shao, the governor of Ji Province. Now, who can say anything? They're all family.

The domestic national debt was also alarming. Powerful families, partly to curry favor with Liu Bei and partly for their own benefit, were extremely active in subscribing to national debt. They practically bought up every single bond Liu Bei offered. Mi Zhu, in particular, was the most enthusiastic buyer.

Liu Bei was now incredibly wealthy and eager to get moving. The only thing holding him back from causing trouble was the voracious appetite of the displaced people he had settled in the military farms. Liu Bei had to allocate a large amount of funds to purchase grain from Ji Province and other places. This situation only began to improve after Liu Bei acquired the grain reserves in Langya Commandery.

This prompted Liu Bei to send his envoy Sun Qian to Cao Cao, preparing for the two sides to conclude a peace treaty and cease their attacks, allowing Liu Bei to focus on conquering Huainan.

"That's how business works. The common people only need to think about how to spend their money, but my lord has a lot more to consider," Sun Qian replied to Cao Cao perfunctorily, then steered the conversation toward the goal of his mission.

"My lord wishes to sign a non-aggression pact with Cao Sikong."

Cao Cao couldn't help but sneer: "How interesting. You're using paper to lure the people of our territory to your side, while at the same time you're asking me to sign a non-aggression pact. Don't you think you're going a bit too far?"

Sun Qian, unafraid of angering Cao Cao, calmly replied, "People have legs; they can go wherever they want. That's not something we can control. But Cao Sikong, you're only the Governor of Yan Province, so why have you been sending people to infiltrate Pei and Lu? Isn't that clearly the jurisdiction of Guo Gong, the Governor of Yu Province?"

Guo Gong was officially appointed as the governor of Yuzhou by the imperial court. However, he lacked the ability to enter Jingzhou alone like Liu Biao. He could only stay in Liang State. Although he was called the governor of Yuzhou, he was actually just the prime minister of Liang State.

Sun Qian's words were also very clear: you say I've been sucking people from you, but haven't you also been trying to infiltrate the various prefectures and kingdoms of Yu Province? We're all crows, so don't just see how black others are and not how black you are.

Cao Cao understood that dwelling on this topic was pointless. He had only brought it up to verbally overwhelm Sun Qian and gain more leverage in the upcoming negotiations. Unexpectedly, Sun Qian lacked the gentlemanly demeanor of his teacher Zheng Xuan, completely disregarding the matter and readily admitting it, making it difficult for Cao Cao to use it as a pretext for attack.

"Enough with the small talk." Cao Cao waved his hand, his displeasure vanishing and replaced by a pragmatic and serious expression. "Mr. Sun, we are both sensible men. Tell me, what do you want? And what can you give me?"

Sun Qian knew the main event was about to begin, so he cupped his hands and said, "Minister Cao speaks frankly. My lord's intention is for the Cao and Liu families to draw a line and not interfere with each other. My lord can concentrate his forces to conquer Huainan, while Minister Cao can also focus on pacifying Yuzhou and Guanzhong without any worries about the east."

"Mr. Sun, you speak so lightly. How can I trust someone who can invade our territory at any time?" Cao Cao tapped the table in front of him lightly and shook his head.

Liu Bei's army could indeed directly invade the heart of Yanzhou through the State of Lu. Coincidentally, the current Chancellor of Lu was Chen Yi, a descendant of Chen Fan. Relying on his ancestor's prestige, he maintained peace in this region, making it an absolutely neutral state.

However, his neutrality was also interesting; he would bow to Liu Bei and also pay his respects to Cao Cao. If Liu Bei wanted to pass through, no problem; if Cao Cao wanted to pass through, so be it. His main principle was to avoid offending anyone; as long as he could remain the Chancellor of Lu, he was open to cooperation with anyone.

Sun Qian immediately replied, "Didn't Cao Sikong just exchange Xiaopei for him? It is Cao Sikong who has the knife to our throats. According to your logic, it should be us from Xuzhou who do not support this contract."

Of course, this is completely nonsense from Sun Qian. The difficulty of Liu Bei's plan to attack Yanzhou by passing through Lu State is completely different from that of Cao Cao's attack on Xuzhou via Xiaopei.

The State of Lu was almost completely surrounded by Yan Province. To the west were Shanyang Commandery and Rencheng State, to the northwest were Dongping State and Jibei State, and to the north and east was Taishan Commandery. Liu Bei could have easily ravaged the wealthy parts of Yan Province from here. In contrast, Cao Cao, wanting to attack Xu Province through Xiaopei, only had Pengcheng State to attack.

The key point is that Cao Cao has already massacred civilians here. The people of Pengcheng are now impoverished. Attacking this place has only military value and no material supply or income whatsoever. Cao Cao would be out of his mind to attack Xuzhou from here.

Cao Cao actually wanted to form a direct alliance with Liu Bei, as he was facing immense pressure alone against Yuan Shao's southward advance. However, given the current relationship between the two sides, achieving that level of mutual trust in one step was somewhat difficult. Therefore, he decided to start by building mutual trust from the most basic level.

After some thought, Cao Cao stated his bottom line: "I only want the states of Chen and Liang; we can discuss the rest later."

He could refrain from interfering in the affairs of Huainan, but Liu Bei also couldn't create obstacles for Cao Cao when he was annexing Chen and Liang. As for Pei and Lu, they would serve as a buffer zone, to be divided up later.

Sun Qian nodded. This outcome was also in Liu Bei's interest. Besides, were the states of Chen and Liang easy to conquer?

"May our two families have a pleasant cooperation." "A pleasant cooperation."

--------

Just as Sun Qian, representing Xuzhou, was making a shady deal with Cao Cao, an envoy from Jingzhou arrived.

As Yi Ji's carriages arrived outside Xiapi, they saw a troop of men. The leader was seven feet five inches tall, with arms that reached below his knees; his face bore the marks of hardship, yet his gaze was gentle. Beside him were his two brothers. Behind them were his civil and military officials.

When Liu Bei saw Yi Ji's carriage arrive, he didn't wait for Yi Ji to get out. Instead, he quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and spoke in a voice as warm as jade.

"I have long admired Mr. Yi Jibo of Jingxiang, a renowned scholar and a trusted advisor to my brother Liu Jingsheng! I have long awaited your presence as parched seedlings yearn for rain, and to have met you today is a great honor!"

Yi Ji was slightly surprised. He had thought this was just an ordinary business trip, but he hadn't expected Liu Bei to receive him with such high-level etiquette. He said repeatedly, "Prefect Liu, you flatter me! I am just an ordinary envoy. There is no need for you and the generals to welcome me."

Liu Bei stepped forward, took his hand, and said, “Sir, you are mistaken. You come not only on your own behalf, but also on behalf of my brother Liu Jing, who governs Jingzhou and whose prestige and virtue spread throughout the land. Brother Jing is a member of the Han imperial family and the foremost of the ‘Eight Worthies’ of the land. I have long admired him. Seeing you is like seeing Brother Jing; how could I dare not be respectful?”

"Furthermore, you are a trusted confidant of Brother Jingsheng, and must be a brilliant talent of our time. Therefore, it is not inappropriate for me to come from afar to welcome you today."

After speaking, Liu Bei specially introduced Yi Ji to Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and others. In this solemn setting, both Guan Yu and Zhang Fei restrained their bad tempers and bowed respectfully to Yi Ji. Seeing that so many heroes under Liu Bei's command were so courteous, Yi Ji felt a surge of emotion.

Upon entering the city, Yi Ji looked around Xiapi with curiosity. The city was bustling with activity, teeming with people who would gather in small groups and then disperse at intersections, each heading towards their own destination. What impressed Yi Ji most were the vibrant people; everyone was full of energy. He saw very few beggars, which made him admire Liu Bei's effective management of the people's livelihood.

That evening, the governor's mansion was brightly lit, and a grand banquet was held. Liu Bei sat in the host's seat, with Yi Ji as the most honored guest, seated beside him. The banquet was filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and melodious music. Liu Bei made no mention of official business, but repeatedly raised his cup, praising Liu Biao, saying, "His benevolence and righteousness are evident, he protects the borders and brings peace to the people; truly a blessing for the Han dynasty and the world." He also spoke highly of Jingzhou, a land of outstanding people and abundant resources, a place of flourishing culture and military prowess.

Yi Ji tried several times to steer the conversation toward Sun Ce, but Liu Bei gently brushed it off with the excuse that "Mr. Ji has come from afar and has had a long journey. Today we will only talk about our friendship and not official business." Instead, Liu Bei inquired more attentively about Liu Biao's diet, daily life, and the local customs of Jingzhou, showing great concern and deep affection.

Yi Ji, unable to wait any longer, took advantage of his half-drunk state to raise his cup and loudly ask, "Now, that brat Sun Ce is rampant in Jiangdong, annexing old territories, and his power grows stronger every day. My lord, Liu Biao, intends to meet with Lord Xuande in Wu for a hunt and jointly divide the six counties of Jiangdong. I wonder what Lord Xuande thinks?"

The once lively banquet suddenly fell silent, with only the crackling of candlelight remaining.

Liu Bei rose, cup in hand, his expression grave: "Brother Jingsheng, you hold sway over Jingzhou and Xiangyang, your heart is with the Han dynasty. This proposal is truly for the benefit of the world. I am already aware of it!"

"But war is a matter of great importance to the state. Moreover, Sun Ce of Jiangdong is no ordinary man. Whether to send troops, when to send troops, and how to send troops all require careful consideration."

Liu Bei turned to Yi Ji, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and said solemnly, "Such important military and national affairs are beyond my authority. Although I am the governor, how dare I make decisions alone? I must consult with my civil and military officials in detail, weigh the pros and cons, and make thorough preparations before I can report back to Brother Jing Sheng."

Guan Yu stroked his beard and nodded at the opportune moment: "What you say is absolutely right, my lord. Sun Ce is brave and fierce; we must not underestimate him."

Zhang Fei also said in a gruff voice, "Exactly! If we're going to fight, we need to plan carefully and not rush things!"

Mi Zhu, Chen Qun, and other civil officials all nodded in approval.

Liu Bei then said gently, "Mr. Ji Bo has come a long way and must be tired. Please stay in Xuzhou for a few days. After I have discussed the matter with everyone, I will give Brother Jing Sheng a satisfactory answer."

His words were sincere, neither directly refusing nor readily agreeing.

Seeing that things had come to this point, Yi Ji had no choice but to follow Liu Bei's lead and say, "Lord Xuande's considerations are very thorough, so let's do it that way then."

The banquet then returned to its previous lively state. Yi Ji quietly told Liu Bei about Liu Biao's conditions, asking him to consider them carefully.

After the banquet, Liu Bei summoned his attendants to help the drunken Yi Ji back to rest. He then kept a few of his trusted confidants behind for a small meeting to discuss the conditions Liu Biao had offered him.

After everyone else had left, Chen Qun began to explain his thoughts: "Yi Ji's words sound nice, but they are all traps. My lord, you see, although Liu Biao promised us three counties, he is holding onto the most crucial Jiujiang County. This means that even if our army captures the three counties of Jiangdong, we will not be able to defend both ends. Once our relationship with Liu Biao breaks down, he can cut off our army's north and south at any time."

"Brother Jingsheng and I are both members of the Han imperial family, why do you do this?" Liu Bei couldn't understand why Liu Biao, who was also a member of the Han imperial family, would do this.

Jingsheng and I are of one mind; Jingsheng and I play mind games.

Chen Jiao chimed in, "My lord, these are chaotic times, far from peaceful. Liu Biao is first and foremost a regional warlord, and only secondly a member of the Han imperial family. Judging from his control of Jingzhou, his taking over the remnants of the Yuan clan, and his alliance with Liu Xun and Huang Zu to counterbalance Sun Ce, his political maneuvering and resourcefulness are all characteristic of a warlord. If you, my lord, regard him as an equal, I fear you will be controlled by him."