Three Kingdoms: Daily settlement helps Liu Bei revive the Shu Han dynasty.

Liu Bei actually didn't want Xuzhou!

This shocked everyone present, and the entire room fell silent for a long time.

No one expected that Liu Bei, who came from a humble background selling straw sandals, would so readily give up a province that was within his grasp.

Such magnanimity and composure! I was truly judging a gentleman by my own petty standards!

After a long silence, someone in the crowd finally couldn't help but exclaim, "In this world, there really is a righteous man like Liu Bei!"

"Lord Xuande, please accept Mi Zhu's bow!" Mi Zhu straightened his clothes and bowed solemnly.

"Lord Xuande, please accept a bow from Sun Qian!" Sun Qian followed closely behind, bowing in greeting.

For a time,

The civil and military officials from Xuzhou in the hall all rose and bowed, their eyes filled with genuine respect.

Tao Qian held the official seal, his hand frozen in mid-air, caught in a dilemma.

Chen Deng stood in the crowd with a polite smile on his face, but he was a little anxious inside.

When he had privately discussed things with Liu Bei before, he had clearly seen through Liu Bei's intention to take over Xuzhou.

Moreover, they agreed that once Liu Bei took over Xuzhou, he would personally go to Yuan Shao and persuade him to join forces to expand and strengthen the region.

But why did you suddenly change your mind, Liu Bei?

Chen Deng looked up at Liu Bei, and their eyes met.

Seeing the unusually clear apology in Liu Bei's eyes, Chen Deng's heart sank, and he almost couldn't maintain his smile.

He knew that his plan was likely to fail.

Chen Deng subconsciously glanced at Lu Yong behind Liu Bei, muttering to himself, "In what way am I, Chen Yuanlong, inferior to him?"

But Liu Bei had already switched his allegiance to Tao Qian.

After bowing to Tao Qian, he said, "Lord Tao, if you really have no intention of staying in Xuzhou, you may tell Brother Bo Gui your intentions."

At that time, Brother Bogui, as an ally, will surely send someone else to take over Xuzhou.

This fulfills the obligations of your covenant.

"You..." Tao Qian opened his mouth, but ultimately let out a long sigh: "Never mind!"

Looking at Liu Bei's composed face, he knew further persuasion was useless, so he put away the seal of office and said with deep emotion, "Liu Xuande, you are truly a national hero!"

Liu Bei's actions completely boosted the goodwill of the civil and military officials in Xuzhou.

It's a real shame that such a good person didn't take over Xuzhou.

However, logically speaking...

Liu Bei is currently a subordinate of Tian Kai, the governor of Qingzhou, and also of Gongsun Zan.

His decision to cede Xuzhou to Gongsun Zan wasn't exactly an outrageous move.

Tao Qian, Liu Bei, and Lu Yong retreated to the inner hall and discussed the matter for about half an hour before finally deciding on a plan.

Tao Qian formally submitted a memorial to the court, recommending Liu Bei as the governor of Yu Province.

Liu Bei then wrote to Gongsun Zan, asking him to send someone south to take over as soon as possible.

Liu Bei immediately ground ink and spread out silk, wrote a letter, and handed it to his personal guard, saying:

"Judging by the days, Xianhe should be back by now. Give the letter to Yide and tell him that when he sees Xianhe again, he should also go to Youzhou to see Brother Bogui."

"Yes, sir!" The guard obeyed and left.

at the same time,

Jian Yong hid and traveled in Yanzhou, taking detours and overcoming various difficulties, before finally returning to Tancheng.

Upon seeing Liu Bei's camp, Jian Yong finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But no sooner had he sat down in the main tent than...

Just as I was about to have a drink, a towering figure burst in.

Zhang Fei snatched the wine bowl from Jian Yong's hand, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp. "Ah! That feels good!"

Jian Yong was stunned for a moment, then flew into a rage: "Zhang Heizi! You've gone too far!"

He raised his foot to kick, but instead of hitting Zhang Fei's hard calf, he kicked his own toes and they hurt.

Jian Yong grimaced and plopped down on the ground, took off his boots, rubbed his toes, and muttered curses:

"When I see Xuande, I'll definitely give you a good dressing down!"

Zhang Fei chuckled, took out Liu Bei's secret letter from his robes, and handed it over.

"Don't be so stingy. Your elder brother has a letter for you. Take a look first."

Jian Yong glared at him, snatched the envelope, tore open the seal, and pulled out the silk scroll.

After reading it, Jian Yong couldn't help but look up to the sky and sigh.

"You bunch of bastards, do you really treat me like a beast of burden?!"

Seeing Jian Yong's exaggerated reaction, Zhang Fei couldn't help but scratch his head and lean over to ask curiously, "What did Big Brother say that made you so angry?"

Jian Yong ignored him and shoved the letter into Zhang Fei's arms.

Then he put on his boots, flicked his sleeves, and strode away, leaving only a string of low curses echoing in the tent.

Zhang Fei unfolded the silk scroll, read it, and couldn't help but exclaim "Ah!"

The letter read:

"...I am willing to cede Xuzhou to you, and I beg you to send someone south to take over the city."

However, my brother has three requests:

Firstly, Zilong and my brother share the same ideals and aspirations, and I hope you will stay under my command…”

………………

After nightfall,

A blue-curtained carriage discreetly stopped outside the gate of the mansion where Liu Bei was temporarily staying.

Under the candlelight, Liu Bei and Chen Deng sat facing each other.

Chen Deng didn't mince words and went straight to the point: "Lord Xuande, are you really content to live under someone else's roof forever?"

Liu Bei poured Chen Deng a bowl of tea, pushed it towards him, and replied in a calm tone:

"Yuanlong, we hit it off immediately. You should know that I am not one to be content to remain subservient to others for long."

However, given the current situation, I am truly powerless to protect Xuzhou.

Rather than forcibly keeping him and risking being devoured by Cao Cao and Yuan Shu, it would be better to entrust him to Brother Bo Gui as soon as possible.

Only he could stand against Yuan Shao and Cao Cao and protect the peace of the people of Xuzhou.

Chen Deng pondered for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Has Lord Xuande listened to someone's advice?"

Liu Bei did not reply, but simply picked up his teacup, took a sip, put it down, and cupped his hands, saying, "If fate allows in the future, I would like to ask Yuanlong to lend me a hand."

Liu Bei's intention was very firm.

Knowing that further discussion was pointless, Chen Deng rose, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, and said with a hint of reluctance, "Take care, Lord Xuande. I'll take my leave now."

After Chen Deng finished speaking, he got up and left without even taking a sip of tea.

It's clear he's very disappointed in Liu Bei...

However, Liu Bei didn't care.

A few days later, Jian Yong once again set foot on the territory of Qingzhou, and went straight to Linzi, where he sought an audience with Tian Kai, the governor of Qingzhou.

Tian Kai was reviewing military reports in the council hall.

Upon hearing that Liu Bei's envoy, Jian Yong, was requesting an audience, he immediately ordered someone to invite him in.

After Jian Yong explained his purpose, Tian Kai was so shocked that he jumped up from his seat, his eyes wide open:

"What did you say? Liu Bei not only defeated Cao Cao, but he's also going to hand over Xu Province to my lord?"

"Indeed." Jian Yong said calmly and respectfully, "My lord Liu Xuande and General Gongsun are classmates and close friends, and I have always been grateful for the general's kindness in helping me."

Tao Gongzu intended to cede Xuzhou this time.

My lord considers himself lacking in virtue and ability and dares not accept the offer.

Therefore, we hope that General Gongsun can send someone south to take over.

Upon hearing this, Tian Kai was deeply moved and began to quickly make plans in his mind.

Qingzhou had been ravaged by the Yellow Turban Rebellion for years, leaving the land barren and the people impoverished.

Although Xuzhou was ravaged twice by Cao Cao, it still retained its strength and was much stronger than Qingzhou.

If Gongsun Zan were to gain control of Xuzhou, his strength would undoubtedly increase significantly, and he could also form an alliance with Yuan Shu in the south, allowing them to coordinate their efforts.

Moreover, with Xuzhou as a backing, Yuan Shao, who had always coveted Qingzhou, would have to think twice before taking any action.

So, according to this calculation,

In their struggles against Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, they finally managed to turn the tide.

Thinking of this, Tian Kai stepped forward and grabbed Jian Yong's hand, saying:

"Brother, please wait a few days. I will report to our lord immediately and ask for his decision!"

Jian Yong nodded, but then urged, "To avoid any unforeseen complications, I request that Governor Tian send this message to General Gongsun via express courier service."

"Okay, okay! I'll write the letter right away!"

Tian Kai immediately wrote an urgent letter, summoned a fast horse, and ordered it to be delivered to Gongsun Zan in Youzhou overnight.

……