Mi Zhu and Lub Su did not have much of a deep relationship, although both were local tyrants, the number of times they had met previously was zero. Their visit this time was merely a coincidence, an accidental encounter, and they both exhibited scholar-like courtesy and gentlemanly demeanor.
Mi Zhu did not feel inferior because of his status as a merchant, and Lub Su did not look at this wealthy businessman with a conventional eye. They enjoyed talking to each other very much, but that was all. Lub Su did not refute Mi Zhu’s views on Mount Tai, nor did Mi Zhu comment on Lub Su’s analysis of the world situation; they both knew when to stop.
Sages do not make judgments on matters they do not understand, so Lub Su did not elaborate much on Mi Zhu’s analysis of the business climate at Mount Tai. Even though he could sense from his own perspective that things were not as simple as Mi Zhu described, he did not say so, but listened quietly, and added this information to his own puzzle, gaining a different perspective on Mount Tai from Mi Zhu’s angle.
As for Mi Zhu’s opinion of Lub Su, throughout their journey together, he was full of admiration, believing that this scholar was destined to be capable of both civil and military affairs. Despite some lack of experience and exposure, his unique insights and sharp perspective left Mi Zhu, a businessman who had wandered far and wide, astonished. There might be errors, but Mi Zhu could not deny Lub Su’s abilities.
With the smooth tact characteristic of a businessman, Mi Zhu gradually closed the distance between himself and Lub Su. Unbeknownst to them, Lub Su had moved from Liu Bei’s envoy’s carriage to Mi Zhu’s carriage.
Chen Xi, observing Xu Chu standing like a wall next to Liu Bei, felt somewhat conflicted. He had not yet decided on the best role for Xu Chu. If Xu Chu was only to act as a bodyguard, Chen Xi felt it would be a waste, but considering making him a military leader, and reflecting on Xu Chu’s behavior in history, Chen Xi definitely couldn’t feel at ease, so he set the matter aside for now.
Fortunately, Xu Chu seemed very dedicated to protecting Liu Bei and seemed to enjoy doing so. He carried the refined iron broadsword that Chen Xi had ordered made for him and followed Liu Bei every day. Whenever they reached the Political Office or Liu Bei’s resting quarters, Xu Chu would stand terrifyingly at the entrance, deterring anyone who dared to approach.
For Chen Xi, this was not a big deal. Perhaps at first, he was annoyed by Xu Chu’s ferocious smile, but as time passed, upon seeing this fearsome grin, Chen Xi inexplicably felt a sense of humor; indeed, he had grown used to it.
Having grown accustomed to Xu Chu’s ferocious smile, Chen Xi also got used to Xu Chu’s astounding appetite. Chen Xi used a celadon bowl the size of a palm for his meals. He actually wanted to use white porcelain, but somehow he had yet to figure out how to obtain it despite attempts to get the craftsmen to investigate it.
He settled for the celadon bowls, not having much to say. After all, using celadon bowls for dining was not too outrageous. Two bowls of rice were enough for Chen Xi, while Zhao Yun, seemingly frail and refined, could eat five times as much without trouble, and Guan and Zhang even more. As for Xu Chu, Chen Xi had given up counting the bowls.
Although Zhao Yun had explained that martial artists derived their energy from food, it seemed they could really eat. After another bout with Xu Chu, followed by inviting him to eat steamed buns with pork trotters, three steamers of buns consumed later, Xu Chu, picking his teeth, complained of being only half-full. Instantly, Zhao Yun understood why Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Xu Chu avoided further sparring sessions.
In a time without Liu Bei and devoid of wages, when everyone was living on tight means, sparring with a big eater like Xu Chu might necessitate hunting down tigers, bears, or other wild game to make ends meet. Thus, sparring was best postponed until they were not lacking in money and grain.
"East City’s Lub Zijing, pays his respects to Lord Xuande." "Xuzhou’s Mi Zizhong, pays his respects to Lord Xuande."
As the carriages of Lub Su and Mi Zhu neared the Political Office, the sharp-eyed Lub Su spotted a group of people standing at the entrance of the Office, seemingly waiting for their arrival.
Soon Mi Zhu also noticed the group of people in front of the Political Office. Different from Lub Su, Mi Zhu had discernment, or rather, he lacked the arrogance that Lub Su displayed at the moment. The notion of acting superior to princes was beyond the Mi Zhu who had honed his skills in the marketplace for many years.
Mi Zhu reached out and pulled Lub Su. This time, he didn’t give Lub Su any chance to argue or resist. He didn’t want Lub Su, a man of great ability, to be labelled as arrogant from his first venture. Nor did he wish for Liu Bei to lose a potentially excellent strategist simply because of a temporary dissatisfaction.
The sights along the way, though heartrending for Mi Zhu, also revealed a tremendous business opportunity. The expenditure was over a hundred million, but wouldn’t the profits created be astounding? A good businessman never lacks the spirit of adventure, and the Mi Zhu of the moment saw astonishing profits in the massive investment in Mount Tai, and he was willing to take the bet on it!
Having bet on Liu Bei, Mi Zhu naturally hoped Lub Su would also join Liu Bei’s faction. With that, he would have a friend to rely on within Liu Bei’s circle. Furthermore, Mi Zhu saw promise in this scholar named Lub Su. Although not yet famous, the talent displayed along their journey made Mi Zhu’s heart quake. His many years of experience told him this man was worth a heavy bet, and that bringing him into Liu Bei’s camp could very well make him his greatest support.
"Dispense with the formalities, dispense with the formalities. Bei has heard that Xuzhou’s Mi Zizhong of the Five Great Merchants and the notable Lub Zijing of Jianghu were visiting Mount Tai. Any gloom from the Zhen Family’s departure and the absence of noted scholars has been swept away. Bei has prepared some modest refreshments and light wine, and invites you both to kindly share your wisdom," Liu Bei said sincerely, helping them both to their feet.
Chen Xi turned his head unnaturally, and as expected, Mi Zhu was so moved by Liu Bei’s words that his cheeks flushed red, almost ready to kneel in gratitude.
This was no longer the era of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Period when sovereign kings would personally hold the whip for noted scholars. Liu Bei’s condescension to greet them was already extraordinary, not to mention his sincere and open-hearted words. Could you not see how even Lub Su was somewhat moved?
Chen Xi seemed somewhat immune to such gestures, but the ancients appeared to have no resistance to this at all. Lub Su was dazedly led by Liu Bei into his house adjacent to the Political Office. As Liu Bei had said, a simple spread and light wine had already been prepared in the living room—well, it should have been Chen Xi’s group’s meal for the night, now turned into a banquet, with perhaps the simple addition of a small bronze cauldron...
Sitting at the head, Liu Bei introduced Mi Zhu and Lub Su to the various people present, causing them to repeatedly take notice of Chen Xi and Zhao Yun. Although they had heard that Chen Xi was not yet twenty and Zhao Yun’s bravery could match Lyu Bu’s, without the fierceness of a martial artist but rather resembling a civil official, they had not entirely believed it until that moment, realizing that the sayings which seemed no more than rumors were indeed true.
As the wine cups passed back and forth, Mi Zhu already started addressing Liu Bei differently, showing that he had understood a lot about him before coming. The only regret was the bitter feeling about the construction in Mount Tai Commandery. However, once Mi Zhu had changed his form of address, there was no longer any hesitation visible in him.
After acknowledging Liu Bei as his lord, Mi Zhu made frequent gestures to Lub Su, hoping that Lub Su would seize the opportunity to join Liu Bei’s faction. Mi Zhu knew he was being somewhat underhanded, but for Lub Su’s potential, for the sake of Lord Liu Bei’s power, and considering his own future, Mi Zhu hoped that Lub Su would join Liu Bei’s faction during this banquet.