Liu Xuande would never be a succubus of the Eastern Han Dynasty!

Liu Bei raised his eyebrows and said, "Don't be so silly, answer quickly whether you do or not!"

"I don't know," Jia Jiaxu laughed even more happily upon hearing this. She trembled and leaned close to his ear, saying lightly, "Since Lord Xuande is suspicious, why don't you search me yourself?"

Her tone was extremely frivolous, Ruifeng's eyes were full of teasing, her red lips were slightly parted, revealing her somewhat dry pink tongue, which seemed like a silent invitation.

"……forget it."

"How can I let it go?"

Jia Xu raised her head and straightened her chest, her figure faintly visible under her silk skirt, and the hem of her skirt gradually slid open, revealing more fair skin.

She whispered, "Come on, if Lord Xuande doesn't believe me, you can search Wenhe's body thoroughly..."

Chapter 17: The Master Says Goodbye

Liu Bei stood up and originally planned to go to the gate, but when he glanced out of the corner of his eye, he found that an incredible scene was taking place in the courtyard.

Guan and Zhang were like well-behaved little animals, lowering their heads and not daring to reveal even a hint of breath. Standing in front of them was Master Lu who had disappeared all night.

Her long silver hair contrasted with the snow in the yard, making her red eyes even brighter. Although she was petite, her temperament was full of majesty.

In his hand was a dry branch that he had picked up from somewhere.

"Did you all hear clearly?"

“…I heard it clearly…”

"The sound is too quiet."

"Listen clearly!"

Upon hearing this, Master Lu nodded in satisfaction, then turned around and found Liu Bei. After a moment of hesitation, he immediately dropped the dry branch in his hand and ran towards him.

"Xuan De, Xuan De, I miss you so much~"

"?"

Liu Bei looked down at the girl in his arms, a little surprised, but soon relieved.

Well, if this continues, I will really have to treat her like my own daughter.

He patted Master Lu's head and signaled to Guan and Zhang in the yard with his eyes, "So, what happened just now?"

"These two said they were Xuande's sisters," Master Lu curled his lips. "They had been planning to wait at the door until you woke up, but I happened to be passing by and wanted to invite them in, but they refused to come."

"They even said something like, 'If I hadn't persevered and waited in the snow, how could my elder brother understand my heart?' I was so angry that I caught them both and gave them a lecture."

After saying that, she moved her nose, looking a little suspicious: "What is the smell on you..."

Liu Bei felt a chill on his spine, but he maintained his usual composure and immediately changed the subject, "Thank you for your hard work, Master. By the way, when do you plan to leave?"

"...Why, Xuande is so impatient to chase me away?"

Mrs. Lu's eyes suddenly became tearful, and she looked like a petite, powerless woman who was always bullied by others.

But this guy is a god who can destroy a fleet single-handedly.

"Haha, Master, you're joking. Why would I be in such a hurry to send you away?"

Liu Bei's expression remained unchanged, but the corners of his mouth were a little stiff. "It's true that I've been busy lately. I need to know in advance when you're leaving so I can make time to accompany you."

"No need, I came to say goodbye to you this morning."

The expression on Mr. Lu's face suddenly changed.

If she was an innocent girl the moment before, now she is a heartless and detached person.

These two clearly have the same face, but they can show completely different temperaments, which is really puzzling.

Then, she looked at Guan and Zhang in the courtyard and said, "These two are indeed amazing martial artists, and both are determined. They only need a little polishing to become my strong arms."

"Xuan De, you can trust these two people on your journey north after the New Year."

"Hahahaha, Master, you're right, but I still want to add one thing," Liu Bei said with a faint smile, "If I want to accomplish my great cause, I must have the assistance of these two."

"Oh?"

Mrs. Lu did not expect Liu Bei to attach so much importance to these two characters, but she did not look down on them at all. Instead, she said earnestly:

"Master, I have always trusted Xuande's judgment, but these two are too aggressive and arrogant. While they could become generals or commanders of the entire army, they need to be accompanied by a suitable military advisor. Otherwise... disaster is sure to come."

Oh my God... Could it be that you have opened your third eye?

When Liu Bei heard what Master Lu said, he began to wonder if she was also a time traveler, or if she had seen some future scenes through divine knowledge?

But he soon felt relieved.

Lu Zhi was well-read and proficient in both civil and military affairs. Although she had no intention of fighting with others, it did not mean that her knowledge was superficial.

On the contrary, she had traveled around the world with great scholars, and had drinks and chats with many famous people. At the same time, she also possessed the power of heaven.

After so many experiences, Master Lu naturally developed a sharp eye for judging people.

Just like Liu Bei, she knew at first sight that this man must be extraordinary and have a promising future.

After Liu Bei figured this out, he almost blurted out: How about arranging Fa Zheng and Pang Tong to assist him?

What, not enough?

What about Jia Xu, Xun You, Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, Guo Jia, Chen Gong, etc.?

One or two people with incompatible personalities is acceptable, but I have an entire think tank, so am I worried that I won’t be able to find people who can cooperate with me?

As for how to get these people... I can only say that there is no rush.

Anyway, Liu Bei had already sent people to find out the whereabouts and intelligence of many future famous officials, and tentatively tried to win over one or two of them.

But this is just the advance team, and he will take time to visit them one by one in the future.

"It seems that you have already made up your mind. I don't need to give you any more advice."

Master Lu noticed Liu Bei's expression and replied calmly, "Don't be hasty in anything. Think twice before you act, no matter what you do."

"The disciple thanks the master for his teachings."

"Heh, during this period of time, we have been called master and disciple, but in fact, I have learned more from you. I should be the one thanking you."

Liu Bei and Master Lu both bowed three times at the same time to show their respect.

Then the latter said: "When you set out north to Bingzhou, I will see you off. Farewell."

Luf is a decisive person. Even if he is reluctant to leave, he will leave decisively after making a decision.

"Master, take care."

"You too."

Her figure turned into starlight and then disappeared from Liu Bei's sight.

"...Brother."

After Master Lu left, Zhang Fei seemed to relax completely. He pouted and muttered, "Who is this person? Why is he so fierce and indifferent?"

"Third sister, don't be rude."

Guan Yu still lowered his head, his body motionless, his expression solemn: "No matter who the opponent is, the result is that we lose the competition. We must obey the obligation to stand with our heads bowed for a full hour."

"Besides, only villains would say bad things behind people's backs. I hope Third Sister can be more cautious."

"cut."

Zhang Fei was obviously even more unhappy, but she did not continue to argue. She stood up straight and continued to stand as punished.

Both of them are people who keep their promises. Once they promise something, they must do it regardless of whether the other party is present or not.

"She is Bei's teacher. You should have heard of her. She is the current doctor Lu Zhi and Lu Zigan."

"!"

"Hey, it turns out to be the great scholar Lu Zigan. I'm really rude then."

When Zhang Fei heard that he was a cultured person, he immediately showed an expression of conviction.

On the contrary, Guan Yu, who had just taught her not to speak ill of others, shrugged and said:

"I didn't expect that someone in such a high position could be so powerful. He's just a little narrow-minded."

"Alright, alright."

Liu Bei was afraid that Master Lu would make a surprise attack, so he hurriedly stopped him and said, "Then stop standing here and playing tricks. I need your help with something."

Chapter 18: The only righteous person who survives is the righteous one

Chen family in Zhuo County.

The head of the family, Chen Yuan, once lived in Hedong County. He was expelled from his home because of trouble at home. He took his servants and wine recipes and ran to Zhuo County to make a living.

Thanks to Liu Bei's secret help, this wine became popular throughout the county as soon as it was released due to its extremely low production cost and extremely low selling price.

In the past, few families could afford to drink a pot of good wine. At most, they could only drink cheap and muddy wine. But since Chen Yuan brought Chenjia wine, every household could afford to drink good wine.

Chen Yuan was very grateful to Liu Bei at the beginning. After all, it was his full support, the help in building the winery, and the effort in getting the government to endorse and promote the winery that made the winery popular throughout the county in a very short time.

As a result, he established roots in the local area and could be called the "Chen Family of Zhuo County".

"but."

Liu Bei narrated calmly, "Chen Yuan is a greedy and lustful man. He's tried more than once to persuade me to raise the price of wine several times. Despite my repeated admonitions and warnings, I mistakenly thought he'd hold back a bit out of kindness. But I was wrong."

"After I left here, Chen Yuan immediately started flirting with the county magistrate. They then began to cooperate fully and even dragged the county magistrate into the water together. In this way, the government and the Chen family were on the same side."

"In addition, after Chen Yuan learned that I had returned, he gave away money to win over some of my enemies, and later he often gave money and wine to other noble families and powerful people."

"This person must be afraid of being held accountable later, so he wants to drag many people into this trouble with him... Chen Yuan, he is truly a petty person."

Guan Yu narrowed his eyes, his cold and arrogant face full of disdain: "Ungrateful, confusing right and wrong, forming cliques, huh, this really fits my stereotype of those in high positions."

"Ah, ah, brother, what are you waiting for?" Zhang Fei was furious. "Let's rush over and kill him. Make him give us an explanation!"

"What explanation?"

Before Liu Bei could say anything, Guan Yu glanced at her and said in a deep voice, "If the three of us really went to kill him, it would be fine if we didn't kill him. But if we did, wouldn't we become fugitives again?"

"Then you don't go, I can go alone!" Zhang Fei was obviously impatient, and he was about to go out alone, but was stopped by Liu Bei.

"Third sister, don't be impulsive."

Liu Bei smiled faintly and said, "I know that both of you are noble and righteous people, but you must remember that you should calm down before doing anything."

"On the surface, the problem seems to be Chen Yuan's fault, but in reality, it's not. Even if we really kill him, the interest groups are still here, and they can support another Chen Yuan."

This is true.

Chen Yuan did not come to Zhuo County alone. He brought many of his former subordinates, and some clansmen who came to him to seek kinship with him after he became rich.

The common people are used to drinking, and they must be craving for cheap and delicious drinks.

The demand is here, and the forces left behind by Chen Yuan will definitely regain their old property and resume the wine and beverage business.

Even if people continue to die afterwards, it doesn’t matter. After all, the cost of production is cheap and the profit is too high, and countless people are jealous of it.

Similarly, Liu Bei could of course kill all of them, but such an action would have no substantial effect other than leaving a few more corpses on the streets.

What he wanted was a relatively fair winery where everyone could make money, so he had to support an obedient person.

But Chen Yuan really went too far this time and must be eliminated.

"Brother, that's fine," Zhang Fei said, patting his chest after figuring out the twists and turns. "I'm quite wealthy. I can pay for the recipe of the drink, and then I'll manage and monitor the entire process!"

This is indeed a very cost-effective solution.

Liu Bei shook his head and sighed, "You and I will all be traveling north in the future. How can we bury our talents here and live a dull life?"

"Then let my parents manage it."

"Third sister, this matter is not that simple."

Guan Yu understood Liu Bei's implication and immediately pointed out, "The wine industry is highly profitable, and countless people are watching. We naturally trust your parents, but who can guarantee their safety?"

"What's more..." Liu Bei added, "This wine recipe is also backed up by the Chen family in Hedong. They haven't shown up before because Chen Yuan regularly divides the money he earns with them."

"If you or anyone else takes over, even if you send someone to the Chen family to give them money, will they definitely accept it all?"

Even though Chen Yuan was expelled from the Chen family, he was still a member of the Chen family, and the Chen family would never sit idly by and watch others use the Chen family's wine recipe to do business...