At night, many torches were lit at the head of the city of Tanxian County, and although the Cao army retreated, the soldiers who stood guard and kept vigil did not dare to slack off.

In the county government, the lights were bright, and a table of sumptuous banquets was set up.

Kong Rong and Tian Kai also led their respective soldiers and horses into the city in the evening.

During the banquet, Mi Zhu got up and introduced to Tao Qian: "Fujun, this is a member of the Han family, after King Jing of Zhongshan, the great-great-grandson of His Excellency Emperor Xiaojing, Liu Bei and Liu Xuande. ”

After this snapping name, everyone looked at Liu Bei again, and they didn't feel a little more solemn.

Regarding Liu Bei's identity, Mi Zhu also heard Guan and Zhang mention it by chance. Although there is no object that can prove Liu Bei's identity, through these days of getting along, Mi Zhu has been influenced by Liu Bei's benevolence and righteousness, and he is already convinced of his identity.

"It turned out to be a clan member of the Han family, disrespectful and disrespectful!"

Tao Qian bowed his hand to salute, and then said to the other Kong and Tian: "This time Xuzhou was saved thanks to the help of the public soldiers. Otherwise, Cao Cao will inevitably break into the city today, and it is a pity that the old man will die, but I can't bear to see the people suffer with me! ”

As he spoke, Tao Qian hid his face and began to cry.

The crowd had to say good things to each other.

"Tao Fujun is serious, we have also heard about your matter, Cao's father was killed, and it has nothing to do with Fujun. Now Cao Cao has raised a large army to invade Xuzhou and kill civilians, which is really a great crime, how can my generation sit idly by! ”

Liu Bei and Tao Qian bowed their hands, speaking impassionedly and righteously.

Many Xuzhou officials in the hall nodded secretly, feeling that this person was good at talking, so they paid more attention.

After three rounds of drinking, Tao Qian ordered Mi Zhu to take the seal of the state pastor and put it on the table in front of Liu Bei.

Liu Bei didn't know what was going on, and he was working hard to build interpersonal relationships with these family figures in Xuzhou at the moment. Seeing Mi Zhu's actions, he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, and asked in a trance: "Tao Fujun, what do you mean by this?" ”

Tao Qian said with emotion: "Today's disruption is unstable, and Wang Gang is sluggish; Gong is a clan member of the Han family, and it is appropriate to support the community. The old man is old and incompetent, and he is willing to give up Xuzhou. Don't shirk. I should write my own text and play the court. ”

As he spoke, Tao Qian looked at everyone again and recounted his guilt: "The disasters in Xuzhou are all caused by the old man. Because of my confusion, hundreds of thousands of people suffered, and the old man was ashamed of the people of Xuzhou and the trust of the princes, and he really had no shame to serve as the state pastor again. From today on, Xuzhou Mu is Xuande Gong! ”

As Tao Qian's words landed, everyone who was originally celebrating was silent for a moment, some shocked, some confused, and with different expressions.

Among them, the happiest were Guan and Zhang, who thought to themselves that the eldest brother finally had a territory and could let go of his career.

However, Liu Bei, who should have been the happiest, looked solemn, left his seat and came out, bowed to Tao Qian, and politely refused: "Although Bei is a Miao descendant of the Han Dynasty, his merits are small, and now he is righteous, so he came to help." When I say this, don't you suspect that I have the intention of annexation? If you think of this, the emperor will not bless you! ”

"This old man is invited in his heart, and Xuande Mo wants to refuse." Tao Qian's expression was sincere, and he gave in again and again.

The honest man Kong Rong also persuaded from the side: "Since Tao Fujun insists on giving in, Xuande, don't shirk it anymore, and agree to come down!" ”

He is still very optimistic about Liu Bei.

However, Liu Bei refused to accept it.

The situation was deadlocked, and Mi Zhu got up and said, "Gentlemen, listen to me. Now Cao Jun is only temporarily retreating, with Cao Cao's temperament, he will never stop there, and will inevitably make a comeback. What we are thinking about now is how to retreat from the enemy. As for the matter of the state pastor, it is not too late to discuss it after the peace of Xuzhou. ”

Everyone nodded, deeply impressed.

Tao Qian had no choice but to give up.

Speaking of the strategy of retreating from Cao, Liu Bei put forward his own opinion: "Tao Fujun doesn't have to worry, I will write a letter tonight, and let people send it to Cao Ying to persuade Cao Cao." If he is allowed to do so, everyone will be happy, and if not, we will fight again. ”

"Salute first and then soldier, Xuande is really a benevolent gentleman!" Kong Rong on the side was like a navy in later generations, full of praise.

Tao Qian nodded, holding the mentality that a dead horse should be a live horse doctor.

Whether it works or not, let's try it first.

In the middle of the night, the feast was gone.

With the support of his two sons, Tao Qian said goodbye to everyone and left the hall early.

Liu Bei and his two brothers were also about to go back to the room to sleep, when someone behind him stopped him.

"Xuande Gong stays!"

Liu Bei looked back and saw that it was a young man, with a very good appearance and an elegant temperament.

With a smile, Liu Bei asked politely: "Why did Yuanlong call me?" ”

During the banquet, he talked to the Chen family father and son. His father, Chen Qi, is an unfathomable old fox, but his son, who has a quiet personality and extensive knowledge, makes Liu Bei very favorable.

Chen Deng has a straight temperament and does not beat around the bush, he thinks that Liu Bei is a very good person who can achieve great things, so he planned for him: "Today, the Han Dynasty is late, Haiyu is subverted, and he has made great achievements, at this time." Xuzhou is rich, with a million household registrations, if Xuande Gong can be based on this, the great cause can be profitable! ”

For a person in his thirties who has not yet achieved a career, especially for an ambitious and ambitious person like Liu Bei, this temptation is enough to break the sky.

However, Liu Bei held back.

He was worried that Chen Deng was just testing himself, so he said solemnly: "This time I came to save Xuzhou, for righteousness!" Now there is no reason to do it, and the world will be prepared for the unrighteous people, and it is really difficult to obey the fate. ”

Mingjie, this is the one thing Liu Bei cares about the most.

It is precisely because he is afraid of other people's verbal criticism that Liu Bei can't be decisive in many things.

At least, for now.

"Heaven or not, it's too late to regret!"

Chen Deng sighed and gradually walked away.

"Big brother, there was such a good opportunity at the banquet just now, since Tao Qian took the initiative to give it to Xuzhou, why didn't you agree to come down?" When there was no one around, Zhang Fei, who was in a panic, finally couldn't help it.

At the banquet, his eldest brother refused Tao Qian again and again, Zhang Fei saw it in his eyes, and he was in a hurry, and he couldn't wait to get up and agree for his brother.

Although Guan Yu did not speak, he also had doubts in his heart.

"We have just arrived, we have no foundation here, and we are here in the name of saving Xuzhou. If I happily sit in the position of Xuzhou Mu at this time, it is difficult to say whether I can sit firmly or not.

But what will the world think of me? They will say that I, Liu Bei, am a hypocritical jackal, a rat who deceives the world and steals his name. In this way, who else will be willing to serve me in the future? ”

Liu Bei expressed his inner worries.

He has no ancestral shadow, and he does not have great military strength. If you want to win people's hearts, you can only rely on yourself to accumulate fame step by step, until everyone in the world recognizes you.

Liu Bei believes in benevolence and righteousness and people's hearts, Zhang Fei doesn't believe in this, he pointed to the West and shouted: "Big brother, you are the benevolence of a woman, you look at Lu Bu and Cao Cao, which one tells you what etiquette and morality, they only believe in fists." There is such a simple truth as becoming a king and defeating a villain, don't you understand, big brother? ”

"Third brother, pay attention to your attitude." Guan Yu reminded.

"Eh, now such a good opportunity is in front of me, but my eldest brother refuses to grasp it, it's really annoying me!"

Zhang Fei clenched his fists and slammed into the stone wall of the corridor.

Zhang Fei was so anxious that he couldn't do it, Liu Bei also knew that he was thinking about himself, so he stepped forward and patted Zhang Fei on the shoulder, and his conviction was revealed in his relaxed tone: "Violence will only bring killing, and those who win the hearts of the people will win the world." ”