Chapter 365 (long chapter)

The gates of Shouchun slowly opened. A figure wearing golden armor on a horse slowly appeared. This was the Sage King Liu Mang. This was a scene that Jia Xu wanted as it meant that Liu Mang had valued the Xiliang Cavalry. It also showed that Liu Mang had the courage and insight that Jia Xu wanted. However, Jia Xu was not pleasantly surprised from Liu Mang’s appearance and was instead, furious. Liu Mang had come out with his bodyguards and also Huang Zhong. The main reason for Jia Xu’s anger was that the Wolf Cavalry had also come out.

The reason for this was because of Liu Mang’s two advisors. This was a compromise Liu Mang had made as the two advisors were going to get violent. Xu Shu in particular was skilled and it would not be possible for Huang Xu to hold him back. Liu Ye and Xu Shu only wanted to stop Liu Mang from going out alone so they gathered the Wolf Cavalry to follow him out.

“Does the majestic King of Shu want to wipe us all out here?” Jia Xu sneered as he asked Liu Mang. The Wolf Cavalry behind Liu Mang were running slowly. Although the movements were not huge, these were movements to warm up the horse. Jia Xu knew this as he came from the borders and had also spent a lot of time on the Xiliang Cavalry. These warming up movements showed that they were getting ready to attack. It meant that the Wolf Cavalry does not want the Xiliang Cavalry to leave.

“How dare you. You came here to surrender. Now that you are in front of Milord, why have you not kneeled?” Liu Ye immediately shouted before Liu Mang could speak. Liu Ye saw Jia Xu as an incredibly haughty person for wanting to be treated as a guest by Liu Mang. Even when Liu Ye joined Liu Mang’s Army, he was only offering his service. Liu Ye was angry as he did not like Jia Xu’s arrogance. He also did not want Liu Mang to fall into any danger.

Liu Mang’s reaction also annoyed Liu Ye as Liu Mang started daydreaming the moment he heard Jia Xu’s name. Although Liu Mang’s voice was soft, they could hear him muttering about collecting a gem. Liu Mang immediately went down the moment Jia Xu called for him. Even though Liu Mang respected wise people, Liu Ye and Xu Shu never had this treatment. The both of them could not accept it and wanted to see how capable Jia Xu was. Xu Shu was made to stay back in the city by Liu Mang who could also see that the two were unsatisfied with this. One person was a big enough problem. He did not need both Liu Ye and Xu Shu to start a verbal spar with Jia Xu. It would not be good for Liu Mang regardless of whoever won the verbal spar. Xu Shu and Liu Ye were his old members. He could not offend them for a strategist that he may not even be able to recruit. At the same time, he could not offend Jia Xu without reason.

The person in charge needed to keep the peace and balance between his subordinates. Liu Mang needed everyone to work together to unite the land.

“And you are?” Jia Xu squinted at the Liu Ye with a gaze that masked his own thoughts. It gave others a pressuring feeling. However, Liu Ye was also a top quality strategist even if he was less experienced than Jia Xu.

“Liu Ye Liu Ziyang from Huainan!” Liu Ye coldly looked at Jia Xu. “Since you have surrendered, why have you not kneeled? Do you truly want to surrender or do you have some sort of scheme? Wolf Cavalry! This is a surrendered general but if he tries anything funny, wipe them out immediately!”

To Liu Ye, Jia Xu was a person begging to surrender. He wanted to supress Jia Xu’s arrogance. He wanted to tell Jia Xu that he was a defeated general and to stop acting arrogant. Only then would Liu Ye take pity on Jia Xu and accept his surrender. Otherwise, they would be wiped out by the Wolf Cavalry.

“Yes!” One general stepped forward. His killing intent was focused on the two Xiliang Cavalry generals. He would immediately strike the moment an order was given. This general was Zhang Liao. The death of his brother had fuelled his hatred for the Xiliang Cavalry. Zhang Liao would definitely jump at the chance to kill the Xiliang Cavalry and the Liu Bei’s Army. Although Zhang Liao was higher in position, he listened to Liu Ye’s orders. He wished Liu Ye would immediately give the order to kill.

“We wish to surrender…!” Before Jia Xu could speak, the two generals beside him already wanted kneel and surrender. They initially wanted to surrender to Liu Mang but after listening to Jia Xu, they became afraid that they would be stripped of their authority before being discarded. This was why they were prepared to leave with Jia Xu. Liu Mang coming down all the way there to see them was already giving them a lot of face. The killing intent that came from the Wolf Cavalry made these two tremble. What else could they expect? After all, Zhang Xiu and Liu Bei had ambushed the Wolf Cavalry. The deaths of those soldiers were in their hands. Although the Xiliang Cavalry had also been ambushed back and Chen Dao had already been killed, these enmity could not be eliminated so simply. On top of that, there was also the death of Zhang Fan.

“Wait.” Jia Xu stepped forward and stopped his two generals from kneeling. Liu Mang may have already come out but if they were to kneel now, there would be no difference between that and begging to surrender.

“So you are Liu Ye Liu Ziyang! I have heard of your well known reputation!” Jia Xu then smiled and said, “Xu Shao of Runan is good at observing others but hid at Yangzhou. Yet he came out to give others an assessment. It truly makes me blush!” Jia Xu cupped his fist and bowed towards Liu Ye with respect.

Jia Xu spoke of Xu Shao who had been the advisor of a previous provincial governor of Yangzhou, Liu Yao. However, he was only a second tier advisor like Yang Hong. Xu Shao’s stratagem had caused Liu Yao to be defeated and he himself had lost his life. That being said, Xu Shao would not have been a person that would be remembered if that was all he is. Xu Shao was remembered because he was good at appraising people. When Cao Cao was not famous, Xu Shao said that Cao Cao would be a capable minister but a treacherous minister in times of chaos1. In the end, this appraisal was fulfilled. Xu Shao proved himself to be a person that could identify talents. Unfortunately, he was made an advisor which led to his own death.

Liu Ye was someone Xu Shao had appraised as a talented person. The people then placed importance in their own reputation. Although Liu Ye did not talk with Xu Shao much, he was still contented from the compliment. As Liu Ye could not follow Liu Xun and Cao Cao did not want him, he joined up with Liu Mang.

“These are all exaggerated praises.” Liu Ye was praised by Jia Xu but he could not smile and accept it. After all, people must be modest. If they were to accept praises like this, they would be considered arrogant. However, Jia Xu immediately sneered after hearing Liu Ye’s reply and said, “I think so too! I never expected Ziyang to have self awareness.

Liu Ye choked at this reply. Self awareness? What else was he supposed to do? He had to be modest from the compliment and not laugh to himself from the compliment.

Jia Xu did not care whether Liu Ye was being modest or not. He had already opened up a chance to attack. “In the past, you killed your father’s trusted subordinate. You are unfilial!” Jia Xu was mentioning the incident where Liu Ye killed his father’s subordinate. Just before his mother had died, his mother had said that this man was a slanderer and was afraid something may go wrong after her death. She requested for Liu Ye and his brother to get rid of this man. When Liu Ye follow his mother’s instructions and killed this man, he did not inform his father about it as he was afraid that his father would be indecisive. He had acted without permission and Jia Xu took this chance to expose Liu Ye.

“The governor of Lujiang, Liu Xun, had treated you well but you could not make strategies for him as you are unloyal!” Jia Xu smiled and continued to hurl abuses at Liu Ye. Liu Xun used to be Yuan Shu’s subordinate but became an independent warlord after Yuan Shu declared himself Emperor. He originally occupied the Lujiang region and had hundreds and thousands of troops. However, Liu Ye could tell that Liu Xun was not a man who would achieve great things because of his wild ambition and his arrogance.

However, Liu Xun treated Liu Ye really well at that time as they had the same surname. He gave Liu Ye preferential treatment. Liu Ye had also gave Liu Xun advice unlike Jia Xu. Unfortunately, Liu Xun did not listen to his advice. Sun Ce had sent an envoy requesting assistance from Liu Xun to attack Shangliao. The messenger brought gifts and spoke in a favourable tone. Liu Xun believed in those words and accepted the gifts. Everyone congratulated him but Liu Ye did not dare to feel happy. Liu Ye had advised Liu Xun against listening to Sun Ce as it was a trap but Liu Xun did not listen. When Liu Xun was defeated, he and Liu Xun escaped to Xudou and surrendered to Cao Cao. How could Liu Ye be called disloyal?

“You!” Liu Ye wanted to retort but he did not know what to say. He did not swear loyalty to Liu Xun. However, Liu Xun was in Xudou and could not be questioned. When he was defeated, Liu Xun had also taken Liu Ye along with him.

“Also, as a Liu, you are a Han clansman. You should be working for the Han. However, you shamelessly recommend yourself to the Traitor Cao. You only left after being humiliated by Cao Cao. You do not have justice! You are a man without loyalty, fidelity and justice. You are definitely not what Xu Shao said you were!” Jia Xu finished. Liu Ye was a Han clansman but only a few of those actually swore loyalty to the Han. Liu Ye simply wanted to make use of his talents so that his knowledge could be passed down to the future generations. This was not wrong but it was now impossible to say it.

Although Liu Ye left in anger, Cao Cao had also personally chased Liu Ye. However, Jia Xu completely skipped this fact.

“Jia Xu. How dare you twist the facts!” Liu Ye did not know how to retort. This kind of verbal sparring had never been his forte. Jia Xu had probably sparred verbally more times than the number of meals Liu Ye had in his life.

“How could I twist the facts? If what I said was not true, why is your Lord still silent? You even responded without permission. Do you even take notice of your own Lord?” Jia Xu struck while the iron is hot.

“Truly an old fox!” Liu Mang was now certain that this man was Jia Xu Jia Wenhe. After being mocked by Liu Ye, he did not immediately strike back as Liu Ye still had his imposing manner. Saying those things would only enrage Liu Ye.

However, Jia Xu turned the tables. He took opportunity of Liu Ye trying to be modest and dragged him down. Liu Ye would be unable to retort. It was a good strategy. A sly person like this should not be trifled with even if he was no Jia Xu.

“Those are all misunderstandings!” Liu Mang looked at the two strategists. Liu Ye wanted to retort and Jia Xu seemed unyielding. Liu Mang quickly stopped them as if the two of them were to truly get angry and start a fight, there would be a huge problem.

“Sir. You are already getting old. You should keep your temper in check. Do not get angry and fall sick!” Liu Mang said with a smile, causing Jia Xu to become speechless. Naturally, Liu Mang must also not ignore his own subordinate. “Ziyang. It is better to speak less.” Although Liu Mang showed Jia Xu a smile, he spoke to Liu Ye with a hint of anger.

A person with discerning eyes would be able to tell that Liu Mang was protecting Liu Ye. He said that Jia Xu was old to lower his anger and also to accuse Jia Xu, an old person for arguing with a youngster. Jia Xu was forgetting his manners. Although Liu Ye had been rebuked angrily, it also allowed Liu Ye to step down without being humiliated further.

“Hm?” Jia Xu narrowed his eyes. To be called old was not a pleasant thing. However, he then opened his eyes in realization. Liu Mang’s actions had protected Liu Ye as Liu Ye was his subordinate. Although he wanted to surrender to Liu Mang, he was not yet Liu Mang’s subordinate. Had Liu Mang assisted Jia Xu to shame Liu Ye even more, he would have also left because a leader who did not care for his own subordinates is not a good one to serve.

“You must be Jia Xu Jia Wenhe.” Liu Mang smiled and said to Jia Xu. Liu Mang’s warm smile usually made others feel comfortable. However, Jia Xu had a bad premonition from this smile as this smile was too similar to his own earlier.

“This humble one is Jia Xu Jia Wenhe, an advisor who served General Yangwu, greets Your Majesty, King of Shu.” As Jia Xu was on his horse, he had no choice but to cup his fist and greet. Liu Mang also did not mind as a talented person has his own haughtiness. Liu Mang would not dare to use one without this pride.

“Mister Wenhe does not need to be so polite.” Liu Mang laughed. “For a long time, I have always held you in high esteem.” Liu Mang’s smile became warmer as Jia Xu felt even more uncomfortable. It was a case where like minds repels.

“You have respected me for a long time?” Jia Xu sneered in disdain. He believed it was more likely that Liu Mang had never heard of Jia Xu before this. Yet, he still had to reply. “I don’t dare. It is a blessing to have the King of Shu respect me.”

“Haha. I am sure you don’t believe me.” Liu Mang naturally knew that Jia Xu did not believe him. After all, Jia Xu was not famous before he found a Lord to serve. Jia Xu had been afraid of offending people and kept a low profile. Only a few people actually knew about Jia Xu. Even then, those like Xu Shu and Liu Ye only had disdain for Jia Xu.

People judged the advisors based on the actions the Lord has taken. Jia Xu should definitely have a hand in Zhang Xiu’s traitorous nature. However, they were wrong as an advisor also did not have the power to stop their Lords from committing such actions. When a Lord goes on expedition, he usually takes his advisor along just like how Liu Bei brought Pang Tong with him to Yangzhou and like how Liu Mang brought Liu Ye with him when he attacked Liu Bei. Even Sun Ce, Cao Cao and the others took their advisors with them. At worst, the advisors were second tier advisors. On the other hand, Zhang Xiu only took Hu Che Er with him. Although the man could write, he did not have the qualities of an advisor and was a commanding officer. With this, Jia Xu’s position in the Zhang Xiu’s Army could easily be seen.

Since Jia Xu did not believe Liu Mang, Liu Mang started to say the things that would make Jia Xu believe him. “Jia Xu Jia Wenhe. A man from Wuwei, Guzang.

Jia Xu was astonished to hear Liu Mang speak of his origins. However, he did not show any reaction. After all, a person’s hometown could easily be recognized just by knowing a few people. After all, during those times, they introduce themselves along with their hometown such as Liu Ye who said he was from Huainan.

Jia Xu seemed indifferent. His lips slowly raised as he thought of Liu Mang in disdain. However, Liu Mang continued to speak, “When young, you are not well known by others. The famous Yan Zhong felt that you were extraordinary and is comparable to the famed Zhang Liang and Chen Ping. You served as an official in the government before quitting because of illness. On the way home, you and a few others were captured by the Di rebels. You then told them that you are the maternal grandson of Duan Jiong and that they would reward them handsomely if they let you live. Duan Jiong was the commander guarding the western regions and was well known amongst the people there. The rebels were afraid so they treated you well and released you while the other travellers were all killed. You are truly talented to be able to adapt to that situation.”

“Hm?” Jia Xu began to frown. The things Liu Mang said had truly happened. As he was a scholar, he did not have any strength to fight back. He only had two paths before him. The first was to die while the other was to act and live. It was also this incident that made Jia Xu a man that greedily clings on to life and abandoned his ancestors. This label never left Jia Xu, making him extremely annoyed. It was also from this that Jia Xu became indifferent.

Jia Xu did not care that Liu Mang was able to tell him this story as this was a story Liu Mang could have heard. Instead, he frowned because he could not tell whether Liu Mang was ridiculing him or whether Liu Mang was genuinely complimenting him when Liu Mang said he was talented.

However, Jia Xu had been thinking too much. Liu Mang was genuinely complimenting him as he believed that living was a good thing in that situation. After all, Jia Xu also did not go around bragging and swindling people after saying that he is Duan Jiong’s grandson. Jia Xu also did not cause any harm to others with his actions. Everyone seeks to survive and there was no problems as long as their actions were not outrageous.

“You fought against Sun Jian and the other eighteen warlords. Even Li Jue and Guo Si could cause so much chaos to the nation with your strategies. You are truly a great talent. You later warned my father-in-law so that he could escape Changan! This Hanyang must truly thank you!” Liu Mang admired Jia Xu. He assisted a second tier general, allowing that general to defeat Sun Jian. He was able to get Li Jue and Guo Si to get rid of Wang Yun and capture the Emperor. He was like a viper that could kill with a bite. Sun Jian, Wang Yun and even Cao Cao had fallen for his schemes. However, people often forget that a viper would not bite unless provoked.

Some call him a useless person but even such a person could enter the history books. As for Liu Mang, he was not as good as Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Sun Ce and many others but he should still be better than Li Jue and Guo Si as he should have better experiences by coming from the future. It would be even better if he had help from Jia Xu. This was why Liu Mang looked at Jia Xu with fire in his eyes.

“Is Wenhe here to surrender to me?” In his haste, Liu Mang said the wrong thing. If he had asked whether Jia Xu was here to assist him, it was possible for Jia Xu to throw himself to Liu Mang. However, Liu Mang used the word surrender. This is because earlier, Liu Ye had said that a surrendered general should not be too arrogant and wanted Jia Xu to kneel towards Liu Mang.

“Does Your Majesty also want me to beg to surrender?” Jia Xu narrowed his eyes again as his speech turned cold.

“No.” Liu Mang wanted to explain but Jia Xu did not give him a chance.

“Does Your Majesty truly believe that there are no other Lords to serve besides you? Did you think the Xiliang Cavalry must surrender to you alone?” Jia Xu asked in a questioning tone.

Liu Mang also became somewhat angry hearing Jia Xu’s overly arrogant words. Coming to Yangzhou so secretly was fine as fortunately, Liu Mang had a good temper. If it was Lu Bu, conversations would only start after one side is beaten up.

Jia Xu wants to surrender? That’s fine. He wants Liu Mang to come down and discuss the matters of the surrender? That is fine as well. Liu Mang had been ready to speak especially after he found out from Lu Bu that this person was truly Jia Xu. Although Liu Ye was the one that picked a fight, there was also no need to say that Liu Ye was not filial, not loyal and had no justice. After all, the people then treasured their reputation the most. It was even possible for Liu Ye to lose appetite until he died of starvation. That being said, Liu Mang did not argue with Jia Xu about this as Liu Ye was the one that started it and only ended their confrontation.

After that, Liu Mang even praised Jia Xu highly. After all, Jia Xu was one of the greatest strategists in that era. So, Liu Mang praised Jia Xu as if he was Liu Mang’s idol. He even made Jia Xu’s selfishness look beautiful and proper.

But how did Jia Xu reply? He replied with ridicule and even dared to question Liu Mang. Even if Liu Mang had a good temper, he could not be humiliated like this. Liu Mang narrowed his eyes. If Jia Xu was an old fox, Liu Mang would be a young fox. When strategizing, Liu Mang may not be as good as Jia Xu but when it comes to humiliating others, they were about the same in skill. After all, interpersonal relations were extremely complicated. Even a pure person would immediately learn the meaning of plotting against others.

“Mister Wenhe. I’d like to know who are these other Lords you are talking about.” Since Jia Xu was not polite, Liu Mang also stopped being polite. Although Liu Mang respected wise people, Jia Xu was someone he could live without. He already had Xu Shu and Liu Ye who were as good as Jia Xu if they worked together. There was also Chen Gong in the Lu Bu’s Army. The real boss was Lu Bu. On the other hand, Jia Xu was jobless and was looking for a person to serve. It is alright to want better treatment when looking for a person to serve but that does not mean that you could humiliate your potential employer.

“Haha.” There was no real confrontation between Liu Ye and Jia Xu because Jia Xu did not even think of Liu Ye as an opponent. However, he felt a sense of crisis when dealing with Liu Mang. Even then, he could simply leave Yangzhou if he were to offend Liu Mang. The Xiliang Cavalry may not be able to defeat the Wolf Cavalry but escape is still a possibility. As a result, Jia Xu spoke without worry. His words almost caused the Wolf Cavalry to act immediately.

“Lu Bu is formidable as a warrior. He is worthy to be the God of War. But as a Lord, he is useless as a Lord.”