Chapter 8: You Can Sneak in Like This?
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"General Gongsun is quite kind to Lord Xuande," Chen Xi said with a smile, "It seems General Gongsun wants Lord Xuande to make an appearance before the different righteous warriors. You know, three hundred cavalrymen and two thousand infantrymen can be considered a small force."
"Alas, I am unworthy of such generosity!" Liu Bei sighed, "With General Gongsun Zan treating me this well, I hardly know how to respond."
"Just remember your old brothers when you've made it big in the future, that's all," Chen Xi joked, thinking of the future rescue of Xuzhou. Although General Gongsun Zan wasn't optimistic, he, out of camaraderie from their school days, nonetheless replenished Liu Bei with five thousand infantry and cavalry, and then sent Zhao Yun to help. It's probably impossible that General Gongsun Zan didn't notice the mutual glances between Zhao Yun and Liu Bei, but he still was so supportive, which fully demonstrates that he has no second words for the brothers he recognizes."
"If I am fortunate to prosper one day, I will never forget," Liu Bei said solemnly to Chen Xi, until the slow-reaction Chen Xi finally understood that Liu Bei's words were not only meant for General Gongsun Zan to hear.
"Hahaha, you'll be big soon, very soon," Chen Xi said, turning his head somewhat unnaturally. He still wanted to meet Cao Cao, Sun Jian, Yuan Shao, and the others. He couldn't rush into giving a commitment.
Seeing Chen Xi turn away unnaturally, Liu Bei couldn't help feeling disappointed, but he quickly recovered. After all, he was still by his side, and there were plenty of opportunities - sooner or later, he would become one of his own.
The next day, the formal alliance meeting commenced. Liu Bei, as a leader of a minor force, had the privilege to stand behind Gongsun Zan at the meeting place, and naturally, Chen Xi took the chance to blend in.
Now, let's introduce these Eighteen Feudal Lords:
The first one, known for his wide connections among eminent heroes, Rear General and Grand Administrator of Nanyang, Yuan Shu, styled Gonglu.
The second one, versed in all schools of thought and well-read in the classics, Governor of Jizhou, Han Fu, styled Wenjie.
The third one, broad in discourse and contemporary knowledge, deeply acquainted with ancient times, Governor of Yuzhou, Kong Zhou, styled Gongxu.
The fourth one, known for filial piety, benevolence, and humility to scholars, Governor of Yanzhou, Liu Dai, styled Gongshan.
The fifth one, generous and detached from wealth, as if money were mere dust, Prefect of the Henei Commandery, Wang Kuang, styled Gongjie.
The sixth one, delivering aid in times of crisis, with lofty ambitions and a great heart, Prefect of Chenliu, Zhang Miao, styled Mengzhuo.
The seventh one, whose kindness reached others, intelligent and well-learned, Administrator of Eastern Commandery, Qiao Mao, styled Yuanwei.
The eighth one, famous for his loyalty and brilliance, refined in appearance and culture, Prefect of Shanyang, Yuan Yi, styled Boye.
The ninth one, clever and wise with strategies, skilled in martial arts and letters, Chancellor of Jibei, Bao Xin, styled Yuncheng.
The tenth one, descendant of a sage, hospitable and honoring the virtuous, Prefect of Bei Sea, Kong Rong, styled Wenju.
The eleventh one, unparalleled in martial arts, with exceptional presence, Prefect of Guangling, Zhang Chao, styled Menggao.
The twelfth one, a gentleman of benevolence, known for his thick virtue and gentle warmth, Inspector of Xuzhou, Tao Qian, styled Gongzu.
The thirteenth one, famed in subduing Qiang and Hu tribes, well-known among barbarians and the Xia Dynasty, Governor of Xiliang, Ma Teng, styled Shoucheng.
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The fourteenth town, with a voice as sonorous as a large bell, a figure both majestic and imposing, was the Youzhou Inspector, Gongsun Zan, styled Bogui.
The fifteenth town, adaptable to changing circumstances and courageous in face of trouble, was the Prefect of Shangdang, Zhang Yang, styled Zicheng.
The sixteenth town, a hero unmatched in the world, with incomparable bravery and strength, was the Marquis of Wucheng and Grand Administrator of Changsha, Sun Jian, styled Wentai.
The seventeenth town, with a legacy of four generations among the Three Dukes and many former officials at his door, was Qing Marquis and Prefect of Bohai Commandery, Yuan Shao, styled Benchu. (Honestly, I didn't want to copy this, but it really can't be left out.)
In addition, there were the eighteen feudal lords, including Cao Cao's own forces.
Each feudal lord brought an army, ranging from as many as thirty to fifty thousand, to as few as ten to twenty thousand. Of course, there were also the likes of Cao Cao and Liu Bei, who had merely two or three thousand troops. However, the difference was that Cao Cao, as the initiator, was guaranteed a seat, while Liu Bei's inclusion would depend on the goodwill of others.
Fortunately, during an idle chat between Cao Cao and Liu Bei, Chen Xi casually let slip Liu Bei's identity as a Han Imperial Kinsman. Hey, that was a very important piece of information. While other imperial relatives stayed within their domains, Liu Bei had come with more than two thousand troops. Regardless of the number of people, the identity was what mattered. After deliberation, they counted Liu Bei in, and he managed to blend in.
Then the quarreling began, after all, a dragon without a head is powerless. Cao Cao voluntarily gave up the position of the Alliance Hierarch, leaving the two brothers of the Yuan Family who were Four Generations Three Dukes and who did not see eye to eye with each other. After Cao Cao proffered his friendship, the heroic and mighty Yuan Shao effortlessly secured the position of the Hierarch, while Yuan Shu could only manage the provision of grain and fodder.
By this time, Liu Bei had already mingled among the feudal lords. Joining before the Hierarch was selected meant that Liu Bei could now find a place to sit openly, as a small feudal lord among the eighteen. Moreover, he superficially had a bit of a say in matters.
Before Liu Bei had even figured out what was happening, Chen Xi had dragged him by the sleeves to sit beside Tao Qian and Kong Rong. Both of them were also very interested in Liu Bei, the Han Imperial Kinsman, and the three conversed easily with each other.
As for Chen Xi, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, they sat behind Liu Bei. This time was completely different from history, as Guan Yu and Zhang Fei also had seats. After all, this was a legitimate feudal lord fighting under the banner of the imperial family; no matter how small, as long as they were acknowledged, the monarchs would be equal in terms of dignity.
With this layer of protection, should Hua Xiong dare to cause trouble later, and Guan Yu step forward to claim he would defeat Hua Xiong, Yuan Shu would definitely not intervene to offend anyone. After all, if he humiliated Guan Yu this time, it would not be merely offending Liu Bei but all the seated individuals, and even if Yuan Shu were foolish, he wouldn't do such a thing.
"Second Brother, sit here. Remember that you are now an officer under Lord Xuande, not some mounted archer or anything like that," Chen Xi began indoctrinating Guan Yu, as Liu Bei's side only had these two mighty generals for show. They had already mixed in with the feudal lords. As long as you don't say anything, no one would know; after all, when distributing provisions, Liu Bei would definitely be allocated supplies as one of the feudal lords. A feudal lord must have the momentum of a lord; it matters not if you bring fewer troops, as long as you are fierce enough, nobody will doubt you!
"Hmm?" Guan Yu was taken aback, stroking his long beard and slightly opening his eyes to look at Chen Xi, "Zichuan, to be honest, I don't really understand how the situation has come to this, why we are suddenly sitting here."
"Because we are part of the Loyalist Army. General Gongsun gave us a chance. We took the opportunity to become a feudal lord of the Loyalists. With the title of Lord Xuande as a Han Imperial Kinsman above us, as long as we demonstrate our value, everyone will recognize the identity of this force," Chen Xi said with a smile on his face, surprisingly finding the proud Guan Yu quite agreeable.
What Chen Xi didn't know was that Guan Yu, who seemed aloof, was mostly that way because he wasn't good at speaking. Coupled with his stern face, he naturally came off as proud to everyone else. However, if you got to know him and he found you capable, without worrying about offending him with words, Guan Yu was actually quite easy to communicate with.
"It can also be like this?" Zhang Fei and Guan Yu were both taken aback.
"Yes, it can be like this. I even find it a bit excessive," laughed Chen Xi, though a hint of mockery was evident on his expression, "It will depend on the two generals when the time comes. If there's an opportunity, you must impress everyone present. Your strength and Lord Xuande's status complement each other! Moreover, your performance now will affect Lord Xuande's future appointments."
"Appointments?" Guan Yu exclaimed in a low voice.
"Right, the effort put in this battle, and how much presence you have, will ultimately determine Dong Zhuo's assessment of the strength of each Loyalist army. After Dong Zhuo flees, he will rely on the Emperor in his hands to divide the Guandong Lords. As long as Lord Xuande catches Dong Zhuo's eye, he will naturally also be used to divide the lords. That way, there will be appointments and territories to be had. This can be said to be the foundation for all future developments. If you don't want to spend decades under others and be unable to achieve greatness, then this time, you'd best try your hardest," Chen Xi said solemnly to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.
This was a conclusion that he had drawn before—it can be said that the campaign against Dong Zhuo was the chance for the personalities among the Eighteen Lords to rise. Whether it was Cao Cao, Sun Jian, or Yuan Shao, all acquired what they sought in the wake of this campaign.
If Liu Bei could catch Dong Zhuo's eye this time, as a piece to divide the Guandong Lords, then the gap between Liu Bei and these lords would instantly narrow to almost nothing. Subsequently, just by clinging to the shell of a Han Imperial Kinsman, who was superior and who was inferior would still be debatable.