Liu Bei stroked his beard lightly, a faint smile appearing on his face.
Then Guan Yu spoke to remind him of something.
He said that Xiao He had also predicted that Liu Cong would surrender Jing Province to Cao Cao without a fight, and he asked whether Yi Ji’s secret letter mentioned that matter.
Liu Bei immediately drew back his wandering thoughts and resumed reading with the others.
As they went through the letter, their brows gradually tightened and their expressions grew more complicated.
In it, Yi Ji reported that although Liu Cong had not yet made any public declaration, every sign suggested he was very likely preparing to surrender without resistance.
“That Xiao He is unbelievable.
He guessed it right again,” Zhang Fei said, his eyes widening once more.
Then he cursed.
“That fool Liu Cong, and those two traitors Kuai Yue and Cai Mao as well.
Are they really planning to hand Liu Biao’s foundation straight over to that Cao Cao thief?” His anger gave voice to what everyone else was thinking.
Zhuge Liang said that the military and political power of Jing Province was already in the hands of the Kuai and Cai clans.
Liu Cong might bear the title of Governor of Jing Province, but a matter as grave as surrendering to Cao Cao was not truly his decision, so he was almost certainly being coerced by those two men.
After saying that, Zhuge Liang let out a bitter sigh.
He admitted that he had known Cai Mao and Kuai Yue for years, yet had failed to see their hearts as clearly as that mountain recluse Xiao He.
He felt deeply ashamed.
Liu Bei also sighed softly, and his eyes held both relief and worry.
It was certainly good news that Xiao He had once again proved himself extraordinary by foreseeing Liu Cong’s intention to surrender.
But with Cao Cao’s great army about to march south, if Liu Cong truly handed over Jing Province without a fight, then where would that leave him?
“If Liu Cong and the Kuai and Cai clans truly surrender Jing Province to Cao Cao, then our position will become extremely dangerous.” “Military advisor, in your view, how should I respond?” Liu Bei’s tone had already turned grave as he looked toward his strategist, Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Liang opened his mouth to answer, but the words stopped before they came out.
He said that the change had come too suddenly, and that this matter concerned the fate of Jing Province, as well as the lives of his lord and all their officers and soldiers, so he needed time to consider it carefully.
When even Zhuge Liang had no immediate answer, a shadow fell over everyone’s face.
Then Guan Yu stepped forward with a reminder.
He said that Xiao He was still in the residence, so why not hear his opinion and at the same time test the depth of his ability once more?
Liu Bei’s eyes lit up, and he rose to his feet in one motion.
“Yunchang is right.
Come, let us go meet that Xiao He.” With that, Liu Bei headed happily toward the rear residence, followed by Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhuge Liang.
Inside a side room in the rear residence, Xiao He had only just crawled out of bed, even though the sun was already high.
A maid was attending him as he washed up.
Then a voice as clear as silver bells rang out from outside the room.
“The sun is already overhead, and only now are you willing to get up.
You really can sleep.” Guan Yinping walked in wearing armor, followed by several female soldiers.
Xiao He laughed and mocked himself, saying that Liu Bei had taken such good care of him that all he did every day was eat, drink, and sleep, so there was no point in rising early.
Then his tone shifted, and he added that eating and sleeping well now was simply preparation for what was coming later.
Once Cao Cao’s army arrived, Liu Bei would have to retreat south across the river.
On the road, Tiger and Leopard Cavalry would pursue them day and night without rest.
By then, sleeping until midmorning would be impossible, and even stealing a short nap would be a luxury.
Of course, Guan Yinping did not catch the hidden meaning in his words.
She only said that he was her uncle’s honored guest, so he could sleep as long as he liked, and that she had merely spoken casually.
Unwilling to think further on it, she turned and gestured to the female soldiers behind her.
The women opened one food box after another, and the aroma of wine and rich dishes filled the room.
Guan Yinping said she had noticed how much he liked braised lamb, so today she had the kitchen prepare extra for him.
Then she urged him to eat while it was still hot, since braised lamb became greasy once it cooled.
Xiao He looked at Guan Yinping with gratitude.
It was not easy to find someone who noticed what he liked and remembered it.
He had to admit that although this young lady of the Guan family seemed cold on the surface, she was actually thoughtful and attentive.
“Then thank you for remembering what I like to eat, Miss Guan.
I’ll eat after I brush my teeth.” As he spoke, Xiao He pulled a toothbrush from his pack.
His toothpaste had already run out, so he could only adapt to local custom a little, using shell powder with salt water, and after brushing he chewed a few mint leaves to freshen his breath.
Guan Yinping stared at the toothbrush with wide eyes, surprise flashing across her face.
“Wh…
what is that?” “A toothbrush,” Xiao He answered casually.
He tipped back his head and rinsed his mouth.
Only then did Guan Yinping understand that this strange object she had seen in his pack when she rescued him was used to clean the teeth.
She took it from him and examined it closely, marveling at how ingenious it was and wondering what it was made of.
Even the thing he used to clean his mouth was different from theirs.
Inwardly, she could not help wondering whether his teacher really was some immortal beyond the mortal world, and whether he himself was no ordinary man either.
Seeing how curious she was, Xiao He remembered that people here soaked willow twigs in water and chewed them open to use the fibers for brushing.
“If you like it, Miss Guan, I can give you one.” Xiao He pulled out a new one from his pack and handed it to Guan Yinping.
When he had gone camping outdoors, he had brought seven or eight spares, and the quality was decent.
If he used them carefully, they would probably last him the rest of his life.
This young lady of the Guan family had saved his life, so giving her one as thanks was only proper.
Besides, she was the daughter of the second most important man in Liu Bei’s camp.
Since he had already decided to make his living under Liu Bei, it made sense to maintain a good relationship with her.
“This rare thing…
you really mean to give it to me?” Guan Yinping looked up at him, both surprised and pleased.
Xiao He smiled faintly and said that she had saved his life, so such a small gesture was hardly worth mentioning.
Guan Yinping was not one to put on airs, so she accepted it gladly, thanked him, and carefully tucked it away like a treasure.