Chapter 13: Lao Liu, it’s time to cash in on your reputation for kindness and righteousness
Liu Bei's face changed slightly.

Everyone looked at each other, and a shadow fell on their faces.

Zhuge Liang's reminder made everyone calm down immediately.

The strength of the Xiliang Legion is obvious to all.

When the allied forces from Guandong went to fight against Dong Zhuo, the only one who was able to defeat the people of Xiliang was Sun Jian.

Even Cao Cao, a skilled military commander, suffered a major defeat at the hands of the Xiliang people and nearly lost his life.

Zhang Ji and his nephew, with only a few thousand Xiliang troops under their command, were able to sweep across Nanyang and put Liu Biao, who had a hundred thousand armored men, on the defensive.

How could a group of defeated soldiers like them defeat such a powerful force?

"What's there to be afraid of? I think Zhang Ji is nothing but a piece of shit!"

"Don't worry, brother. I will fight him to death in Nanyang!"

Zhang Fei was as mysteriously confident as ever, patting his chest and firing a blank shot.

"Yide, although Zhang Ji's martial arts skills are mediocre, the Xiliang Army under his command is not a mob. Don't underestimate the enemy!"

Although Guan Yu was arrogant, he was much calmer than Zhang Fei.

"Mr. Xiao, your brother-in-law reminded me of this."

Liu Bei frowned, looking fearful:
"Zhang Ji's Xiliang army is extremely fierce. With our current strength, we may not be their match."

Everyone's eyes were focused on Xiao Fang.

Xiao Fang, however, was not in a hurry. He leisurely sipped the tea to moisten his throat.

"With the support of Mi Biejia, Envoy Liu can get at least 2,000 new soldiers. Add to that the current Youyan direct lineage, and you should have 3,000 soldiers in total."

"The envoy is on his way to Jingzhou, and he has at least 5,000 soldiers waiting to be recruited by Envoy Liu."

"It shouldn't be a problem to gather 8,000 soldiers from both groups together."

"These eight thousand troops are not too many, but not too few either. If we can use them properly, it shouldn't be difficult to defeat Zhang Ji and his nephew and capture Nanyang."

"At least it should be much easier than for you to take back Xuzhou."

These words made everyone more confused.

"Mr. Xiao, please wait a moment."

Zhang Fei narrowed his eyes into two lines and asked in confusion:

"I understand the rest, but you said that there are 5,000 soldiers on the way to Jingzhou waiting for my brother to recruit."

"I'm a little confused. What do you mean?"

Zhang Fei's shouting also expressed Liu Bei's thoughts, which was exactly what confused him.

Xiao Fang smiled and asked Zhuge Liang to bring the map and spread it out on the table.

"Please read this, sir. If you want to go to Nanyang, Runan is the only way you can go."

"Since the Yellow Turban Army of Runan was dispersed by Cao Cao at the beginning of the year, they have been scattered all over Runan. These people are leaderless and fighting on their own."

"When you pass through Runan, you can raise your arm and recruit these Yellow Turban troops to serve you."

"Although these people are not as elite as the Xiliang Army, they have all experienced the test of life and death on the battlefield. They are not a complete mob."

"As long as you train them and command them properly, they may become an elite force."

Xiao Fang gestured on the map while explaining the secret.

Everyone suddenly realized.

The cloud of doubt in Zhuge Liang's heart suddenly dissipated.

No wonder his brother-in-law had claimed so confidently before that he had already thought of a solution for Liu Bei's problem of insufficient military force.

It turns out that the solution is to recruit the Yellow Turbans of Runan.

"According to what Master Xiao said, the Yellow Turbans of Runan are indeed a usable force."

"But, considering the current dire situation, are these Yellow Turban leaders willing to be of use to me?"

Although Liu Bei understood the situation, he was also somewhat unconfident.

Xiao Fang was not surprised by Lao Liu's mentality.

Cao Cao relied on military force to severely inflict heavy losses on the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou, forcing them into a corner and forcing them to surrender. You, Liu Bei, fled Xuzhou in a desperate situation with a few thousand defeated soldiers and came to our Runan territory. Why do you want us to surrender to you just by raising your arms?

Because you have a big face?
Lao Liu’s face is indeed big.

This face is the name of benevolence and righteousness.

Rescuing Kong Rong in Beihai and Tao Qian in Xuzhou, Lao Liu's heroic deeds have long been known throughout the world.

Let’s take a look at what good things Lao Liu’s enemies have done.

Cao Cao attacked Xuzhou twice, causing rivers of blood and corpses to flow everywhere, and the Si River was blocked.

Yuan Shu, the second-generation rich man, went from Nanyang to Runan and then to Huainan. Wherever he went, he was like a swarm of locusts, leaving no grass at all and wiping out all the people.

There is no need to mention Lu Bu, who killed his father and his master, was fickle, and regarded trust and loyalty as worthless.

Let’s go back to Old Liu. He had only been in charge of Xuzhou for a short time and indeed had no time to implement any specific benevolent policies.

But thanks to the contrast with these enemies, Lao Liu has become a rare species, and his reputation for benevolence and righteousness has been infinitely magnified in the eyes of the people.

The Yellow Turban Army was mostly composed of refugees and civilians, and Lao Liu had an extremely good reputation among them.

It was for this reason that during the Battle of Guandu in history, Lao Liu was entrusted by Yuan Shao to go to Caotong District to open up a second battlefield. As soon as he arrived in Runan, he quickly took over the Yellow Turbans in Runan.

This is why, whenever Lao Liu arrives at a place, he can quickly gather a group of people even without the support of the local aristocratic families.

There is no other reason, the people’s eyes are sharp and justice is in the hearts of the people!

It’s just that Liu Bei at this moment has not yet realized that the reputation for benevolence and righteousness he has accumulated over the years is enough to monetize.

"On my trip to Xuzhou this time, when I passed through Runan, I heard a lot about the envoy's reputation for benevolence and righteousness."

"I can guarantee that once you arrive in Runan, all the Yellow Turbans scattered there will come back."

Xiao Fang didn't want to reveal too much to Liu Bei, so he just patted his chest and guaranteed it.

Seeing Xiao Fang so confident, although Liu Bei still had doubts in his heart, he had to suppress them.

After pondering for a moment.

The hesitation on Liu Bei's face disappeared, and he looked determined and said:
"Let's follow Master Xiao's plan. We will go to Runan to recruit the Yellow Turban Army and reorganize our forces."

"Then head west, defeat Zhang Ji, and seize Nanyang!"

Inside the lobby, all the generals responded enthusiastically, and the atmosphere became exciting again.

Upon seeing this, Zhuge Liang coughed lightly and winked at Xiao Fang repeatedly.

The meaning is naturally to imply that Liu Xuande has been fooled by us, so brother-in-law, you should quickly recommend yourself to be his adviser.

Xiao Fang's mouth corners slightly raised.

Back then, you were so arrogant that Old Liu came to you three times to invite you out of retirement, but now you let me, your brother-in-law, take the initiative to throw myself into your arms. You are so unkind...

This is a necessary act, but it's not about being pretentious or enjoying the sense of being admired by Lao Liu.

Instead, it is to establish the prestige of the strategist.

Think about this.

Xiao Fang stood up and bowed to Liu Bei with a smile:

"It is fate that I can meet you again and help you solve your problems."

"Fang still has to take his wife's brother to the north to worship his ancestors, so we will say goodbye now and we will meet again someday if we are lucky."

After saying that, Xiao Fang turned around and was about to leave.

"Jinglue, please stay!"

Liu Bei rushed forward and blocked Xiao Fang's way.

Then he took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and bowed deeply to Xiao Fang with a solemn expression:
"Although I come from a humble background, I never forget that I am a descendant of the Liu family. I only wish to support the Han Dynasty and save the people from danger!"

"However, I have neither great talent nor great strategy. I have a lot of passion, but I have wasted half my life doing nothing."

"Fortunately, God has been kind to me, Liu Bei, and has allowed me to meet a man as talented as you, Jinglue, who can show me a way to support the Han Dynasty!"

"I ask Jinglue to be my military advisor, to help me wipe out the Han thieves and restore my great Han country!"

"Be prepared, please!"

(End of this chapter)