Chapter 3: Teach your brother-in-law a lesson!
"impossible!"

"Although my brother is a rough man, it is impossible for him to be so careless as to do something as absurd as you say!"

Guan Yu's voice was stern, his eyes full of doubt, and he immediately stood up to protect his brother.

Xiao Fang smiled, and without further ado, he stood up and bowed:
"I was originally taking my brother-in-law back to Xuzhou to worship my ancestors. On the way, I passed by Xutai. Because I admired your kindness and righteousness, I came to offer you good advice."

"If you believe it, believe it. If you don't believe it, it doesn't matter. I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, he turned around and left.

Liu Bei suddenly came to his senses, and without thinking too much, he took two steps at a time and stopped in front of Xiao Fang.

"Mr. Xiao, you are a guest from afar, and you think highly of me. I am truly grateful."

"Please stay in Xutai City for a few days, so that I can show my hospitality as a host."

Liu Bei half bowed and saluted, looking sincere in trying to keep him.

Xiao Fang's mouth corners slightly raised.

I came all the way to Xutai just to seek a long-term meal ticket from Liu Bei, so how could I just leave like that?

Saying he wanted to leave was just a means of retreating to advance, forcing Lao Liu to stay.

People often don’t cherish what comes to them, but only those who beg for it with great effort will regard it as a treasure. That’s human nature…

Just as he expected, Liu Bei really kept him warmly.

Xiao Fang then pretended to be polite and accepted Liu Bei's invitation, deciding to stay for a few days.

Liu Bei was overjoyed and immediately ordered his personal guards to quickly collect the clients at the rear residence and arrange for Xiao Fang and his group to rest.

A quarter of an hour later.

Xiao Fang was already sitting in the room, with a table filled with fine wine and delicious food in front of him.

"The sky is big and the earth is big, but eating is the biggest thing."

"Aliang, let's eat!"

Xiao Fang didn't hesitate to eat and drink like whirlwind.

Zhuge Liang held the bowl of rice but was reluctant to pick up his chopsticks.

"Brother-in-law, Liang has something that he doesn't understand, and he doesn't know whether he should tell you or not."

"What's confusing you?"

Xiao Fang put down his bowl and chopsticks and looked at Zhuge Liang.

"When we met just now, Liu Xuande was courteous and approachable, which is indeed commendable."

"What I have seen and heard along the way also proves that Liu Xuande's reputation for benevolence and righteousness is not in vain."

"Except for his virtue, I feel that Liu Xuande seems a bit mediocre."

"How can my brother-in-law believe that such a person is a wise leader who can pacify the troubled times and support the Han Dynasty?"

Zhuge Liang expressed his doubts.

Xiao Fang was not at all surprised by his doubts about him.

After all, he is still a child.

At such an early age, he can give such an objective evaluation of Liu Bei, which shows that he has the potential to be a real dragon.

It is objective, but not profound enough.

"Aliang, let me ask you, what is the family background of Yuan Shao, Cao Cao and Liu Biao?"

"What is the origin of this Envoy Liu?"

Xiao Fang also put down his bowl and chopsticks, and decided to take this opportunity to teach his brother-in-law a lesson.

"Yuan Shao has three generations of officials in his family, and his name is known all over the world. Naturally, his family background is prominent."

"Although Cao Cao was not as good as Yuan Shao, he was also the son of a scholar. His father was a wealthy man in the world. The Cao and Xiahou clans were also powerful in Qiaopei."

"Liu Biao is a famous relative of the Han Dynasty, one of the Eight Steeds, and a famous scholar known throughout the world."

Zhuge Liang told the three people's family backgrounds like a treasure, and then changed the subject:
"As for Liu Xuande, although he claims to be a relative of the Han Dynasty, his weight is far less than that of Liu Biao, a member of the Liu family recognized by the court."

"His ancestors were only minor officials, making a living by weaving mats and selling shoes. It was only because of his military merit in suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion that he was barely granted the title of county lieutenant by the imperial court."

"From this point of view, Liu Xuande is from a humble family. Compared with Yuan Cao and his ilk, he is naturally a world apart."

Xiao Fang nodded slightly and asked:

"With such a background, Liu Xuande has now become the governor of a state, standing on equal footing with Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, competing for supremacy in the world."

"Aliang, do you really think such a person is mediocre?"

Zhuge Liang's body was shocked, and in an instant a look of sudden realization appeared on his face.

If a mat weaver and shoe seller could get to the point of competing with people like Yuan Shao, if this is mediocre, then everyone in the world would be a fool.

"Brother-in-law, what you said makes sense. It seems that Liu Xuande is not only not mediocre, but also a great man!"

"Liang's way of judging people seems to be superficial. I need more guidance from my brother-in-law."

Zhuge Liang looked humble and eager to learn, and immediately bowed to Xiao Fang.

"Some truths cannot be learned just by reading books, but also require sufficient experience. There is no rush, eat first."

After Xiao Fang consoled him with a smile, he waved his chopsticks, signaling him to eat quickly.

Zhuge Liang's doubts were resolved, and he realized that his stomach was empty, so he quickly picked up his bowl and chopsticks. Looking at his brother-in-law eating heartily, Xiao Fang sighed inwardly.

In fact, there are some things he cannot tell Zhuge Liang directly.

When he assisted Liu Bei, it was not because other people could not assist him, but because Liu Bei had better personality.

Now Cao Cao has welcomed the emperor to Xuchang. The start-up period has long passed. He has many advisers under his command, and they have already taken up all the positions that should be occupied. The return on assisting Cao Cao now is obviously not high.

Old Liu was different. Even though he had risen to the high position of Governor of Xuzhou, most of the world's talented people kept their distance from him, and his advisers were only second- or third-rate like Sun Qian and Jian Yong.

Assisting Lao Liu at this time is like providing timely assistance.

He came here just to be the strategist!

Another thing is personality.

Cao Cao’s suspicious character alone is unbearable.

Whoever wants to experience the feeling of living with a tiger as his companion can go ahead and try it, but Xiao Fang doesn't want to.

Old Liu is different, he is so kind to his subjects!
Unless you are crazy and seeking death, Lao Liu's knife will never hit your head.

Just think of what Zhuge Liang said to him when he entrusted his son to Zhuge Liang, "You can take it yourself". Which emperor in ancient and modern times could do that?

Working for a boss like Liu Bei is all about these eight words:

Like a spring breeze, with peace of mind.

In contrast, assisting Liu Bei would not only allow him to reach the highest position in the country, but also allow him to retire with peace of mind, so Xiao Fang naturally chose Liu Bei.

Of course, in addition to considerations of interests, his personal emotions are also mixed in.

Liu Bei, together with a group of idealists, founded the extremely romantic Shu Han, but was ultimately defeated by reality, which became an eternal regret.

People need to have some spirit, and Xiao Fang is no exception.

He wants to change this eternal regret, wants to help ideals defeat reality, and wants to make the Han Dynasty great again!

However, Xiao Fang could only keep these secrets deep in his heart and could not reveal them to Zhuge Liang, even to his wife Zhuge Lan, who was by his side.

"Brother-in-law, there is one thing I can't figure out."

"Brother-in-law, how did you figure out that Zhang Fei would whip Cao Bao while drunk? Such detailed deduction is really incredible."

Zhuge Liang took a few bites and then looked at Xiao Fang curiously.

"You are still growing up, so you should use your chopsticks more and less brain. There is no need to worry about so many problems. Just eat your meal in peace!"

"Oh…"

at this time.

In the main hall of the government office.

"Brother Xiao Fang's origins are unknown, but he keeps saying shocking things. I think you should not trust him so easily."

Guan Yu watched Xiao Fang leave and immediately expressed his concerns.

"This Xiao Jinglue's background is indeed somewhat suspicious."

"This person's predictions are indeed shocking and somewhat unbelievable."

"But his assessment of the situation in Xuzhou and the predicament I was in was spot on."

"From this we can see that Xiao Jinglue is definitely not a boastful person, but a man of great strategy."

"It would be a blessing for me if I could have this person's assistance."

Liu Bei admired Xiao Fang more than he doubted him.

Guan Yu frowned slightly and sighed:
"Brother treats people with sincerity, but always trusts people too much."

"Is this Xiao Fang a great talent? Brother, you should at least send someone to Xia Pi to find out..."

The words have not yet fallen.

The personal guards hurried into the hall and reported that Zhang Fei had arrived at Xutai and was heading towards the government hall.

"Yide?"

Liu Bei and Guan Yu exclaimed in unison, and their expressions suddenly changed.

Zhang Fei was stationed at Xia Pi, a task that was extremely heavy.

Now there is no sign at all, and suddenly we come to Xutai?

An extremely ominous premonition immediately came over the two of them.

"Brother!"

"I'm sorry, I'm guilty!"

While the two were still feeling uneasy, a sturdy man with a bloody body, a black face and a thick beard rushed into the hall and knelt down in front of Liu Bei.

"Yide, what's wrong with you?"

Liu Bei suppressed his surprise, and hurriedly supported Zhang Fei and asked him questions.

Zhang Fei was filled with shame, and he kowtowed to Liu Bei, crying:

"I am incompetent and failed to protect Xia Pi for my brother!"

"I lost Xia Pi!"

(End of this chapter)