Mythical Three Kingdoms

The Zhang Clan had gradually disappeared into the crowd, settling into a relatively inconspicuous yet highly placed seat in the central hall. That said, the Zhen Family’s lack of male heirs was a disadvantage; otherwise, they could easily have taken a seat closer to the main ones.

”Liu Xuande!” Yuan Shao slowly rose to his feet, taking long strides toward the main hall. Behind him, his civil officials and military generals formed two orderly lines, following closely in his wake.

”Alliance Leader Yuan, it has been a long time.” In stark contrast to Yuan Shao’s dragon-like majesty and tiger-like vigor as he came to greet him, Liu Bei’s demeanor was calm, as if speaking to an acquaintance about their breakfast plans. His expression betrayed almost no emotion.

”Please!” Yuan Shao gestured courteously, leading the way inward. His sharp eyes noticed that Liu Bei’s waist bore no sword.

”After you.” Liu Bei’s expression remained tranquil as he strode forward, unaffected. Yuan Shao’s showmanship held no meaning for him. If Liu Bei’s purpose here could result in Yuan Shao’s downfall, all the better. If not, he would simply take the opportunity to observe his opponent.

Within moments, the two parties—more than twenty people in total—were seated. Chen Xi naturally took the second seat on Liu Bei’s side. Compared to Yuan Shao’s camp, where Sheni Pei had claimed an advantageous position, Chen Xi unhesitatingly occupied the prominent seat next to Liu Bei.

Once everyone was seated, the conversation began to wander casually, reminiscing about the past, reflecting on the present, and recalling those feudal lords with whom they once drank but who had since perished. Naturally, there was no shortage of self-praise as well.

”Zichuan, what are you counting?” Zhao Yun’s voice carried over as he sipped his wine, addressing Chen Xi.

”Counting heads, to see if anyone here is outside my expectations,” Chen Xi replied nonchalantly. ”Should I throw some casual remarks out there and see how they react?”

Zhao Yun’s lips twitched slightly. If Chen Xi were to start spouting nonsense, the banquet wouldn’t last even a quarter of an hour before descending into chaos.

”Everything is as expected. It’s still the same lot, nothing worth fearing. Watch me throw a disdainful look at them and gauge their reactions. Oh, and Zilong, why don’t you throw in a taunt or two as well?” Chen Xi didn’t bother to hide his intentions as he launched an open provocation with his gaze. Eating and drinking at banquets was dull; it was high time to stir things up.

Zhao Yun, hearing Chen Xi’s words, noticed that Sheni Pei, Xuu You, Tian Feng, Xin Pi, and the others on the opposite side were already frowning. Sheni Pei, in particular, shot a glare toward Chen Xi that was filled with barely contained displeasure.

Neither Liu Bei nor Yuan Shao brought up lofty ideals, grand narratives, or the question of the Han Dynasty’s legitimacy. Such matters were meaningless to discuss at this point; introducing them would only ensure the wine remained untouched.

At this moment, Liu Bei had centered himself with clarity. His goal was for the people of the realm to have enough to eat. This objective was righteous, but whether it was right or wrong mattered less than having the power to fulfill it.

”Benchu, how about a spar?” Liu Bei, having drained a jug of wine, abruptly changed his tone after moments of cordial discussion. He slammed a bronze wine goblet into the table, suddenly challenging Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao froze. Weren’t they just conversing amicably? Why the sudden shift to outright provocation? What was going on?

Liu Bei’s voice was not loud, but everyone present was perceptive. The moment his words fell, the once-bustling central hall plunged into utter silence.

”Benchu, let us spar. I’ll even let you use one hand—I’m not joking. The suffering of the common people is immense. Securing the North is a monumental challenge for both of us. But if one of us falls today, the path to securing the North becomes much easier for the other.” Liu Bei’s voice carried a tinge of melancholy as it reached the ears of all those present.

It was clear that their earlier seemingly pleasant conversation had dredged up many painful memories for Liu Bei. Only under such circumstances would he adopt such a tone.

”For the common good, if either of us were to fall here today, it would be a blessing for the people of the land. The faster unification is achieved, the less suffering there will be.” Liu Bei’s seemingly heretical words reverberated throughout the central hall, leaving everyone unable to refute his rationale.

Yuan Shao silently raised his wine goblet and drank. When Liu Bei finished speaking, Yuan Shao set the goblet down, his gaze fixed firmly upon Liu Bei.

”The courage of a mere brute!” Yuan Shao rebuked in a low, scornful tone.

”If the courage of a mere brute could solve the problem, why shouldn’t it be attempted?” Liu Bei replied with an unflinching calm. Yuan Shao’s reprimand elicited no anger from him; he simply didn’t care.

”Entrusting the world to the courage of a single brute is a grave mistake! Civil officials should formulate the reforms to rebuild, while military generals shatter the decaying systems. Only through such measures can the world be reforged.” Yuan Shao’s voice swelled with passionate conviction.

”From destruction rises the heroes of chaos, breaking the old rules. Only through such painful crucibles can newer, better principles emerge. True glory can only be forged through post-catastrophic resurrection. Expansion and consolidation necessarily follow suffering. How can the hope of the realm rest on a single person’s shoulders?” As Yuan Shao spoke these words, he cast a disdainful glance toward Liu Bei, his contempt evident.

”You make a valid point,” Liu Bei said without mounting any rebuttal, even nodding in agreement. ”But some pain can sometimes be avoided.”

As he spoke, Liu Bei glanced toward Chen Xi. Yuan Shao’s argument bore some resemblance to those Chen Xi had laid out before, though Chen Xi often argued contrasting points as well—contradictions were never in short supply.

”I cannot defeat you,” Yuan Shao admitted as he looked at Liu Bei. ”Not only do my beliefs reject the notion of entrusting the world to one man, but my martial skill cannot match yours either. If you are so determined, I suggest seeking out Lyu Fengxian, Sun Bofu, or even Cao Mengde.”

”I had thought you were easily provoked, but I did not expect you to admit your shortcomings so calmly,” Liu Bei remarked, his surprise evident. He then pulled the goblet from the table, filled it with wine, and raised it in a toast toward Yuan Shao.

”I aim to unify this realm. I would declare this even in the presence of the Emperor!” Yuan Shao’s words carried no pretense as he bared his ambition. ”Anyone who stands in my way is my enemy. Liu Xuande, you are outstanding, but you block my path, just as I block yours!”

Liu Bei fell silent. Yuan Shao’s words, in any other circumstance, might have been branded treasonous. Yet in this moment, there was no point in cursing him—it would only signal weakness. Yuan Shao possessed the power to act on his conviction. His aim for unification was absolute.

”Let us settle this with swords, not with meaningless words.” With that, Yuan Shao unsheathed the Sizhao Sword from his waist and laid it on the table with unmatched pride. ”Let us clash with the swords of feudal lords! As for the so-called Emperor’s Sword, Zhuang Zhou speaks beyond our reach. The Five Great Mountains and the cycles of Yin and Yang are but jokes! The will of the people across all ages alone constitutes the true Emperor’s Sword!”

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)