The Mythical Version of the Three Kingdoms: The Evil God Arrives

Chapter 296 Liu Bei Officially Takes Over Xuzhou
After Tao Qian and Liu Bei talked for a few more times, he ordered someone to fetch the seal of Xuzhou.

After a while, Zhao Yu was seen walking out from the back hall holding the seal of the governor of Xuzhou in both hands.

Following behind Zhao Yu was Zheng Xuan, who was personally invited by Liu Bei using Sun Qian's letter, and Chen Dao, who was guarding him.

Zheng Xuan had originally not planned to come out of seclusion, but Liu Bei's behavior of enlightening the people was very much in line with Zheng Xuan's thoughts, so when Liu Bei found Zheng Xuan with Sun Qian's letter, he agreed to be a witness to the matter and visit Taishan Academy by the way.

Many heads of aristocratic families at the banquet were a little surprised to see Zheng Xuan following behind Zhao Yu. They did not expect that Liu Bei would actually invite this person out.

With the testimony of the great scholar Zheng Xuan, the drama in Xuzhou has become more peaceful. How could the many leaders of the aristocratic families present not know the value of Zheng Xuan's testimony?

Tao Qian was also stunned when he saw Zheng Xuan, and looked at Liu Bei with some surprise. He did not expect that Liu Bei would actually invite Zheng Xuan out as a witness.

In other words, Tao Qian did not expect that Liu Bei could actually persuade Zheng Xuan to serve as a witness, someone he himself could not even invite out of seclusion.

Tao Qian smiled, "I didn't expect Lord Kang Cheng to come here in person. Can you be a witness for Xuande?

It will also save people from gossiping about this matter in the future." As he said this, Tao Qian glanced at the heads of the many noble families present.

Zheng Xuan also saw what Tao Qian did, but he didn't care about it at all. He came here just for this matter.

"You are too polite, Envoy Tao. I came here for this very purpose, to enlighten the people of the world. This is also something I want to do but cannot do," Zheng Xuan said seriously.

"Please forgive me, Lord Kang Cheng. I, Liu Xuande, naturally want to see what the world is like.

The great cause that the saints have worked hard for but has not seen any hope so far, now that I, Liu Xuande, can see a glimmer of hope, why shouldn’t I go all out for it?” Liu Bei smiled and bowed to Zheng Xuan.

Zheng Xuan looked at Liu Bei deeply. Although he had talked to Liu Bei before, he was still moved by the fact that Liu Bei could say this in front of so many people.

Looking at Liu Bei's generous face, Zheng Xuan laughed, "I heard that Lord Xuande has an academy, but it still has no dean. Can I recommend myself?"

Hearing Zheng Xuan directly recommending himself as the president of Taishan Academy in front of everyone, Liu Bei's mouth twitched. Why didn't the old man Zheng Xuan mention it before? Why did he have to bring up this matter in this situation?

Liu Bei said helplessly: "Mr. Kang Cheng is joking. Although Taishan Academy is under my name, I can also decide some matters in the academy.

However, the position of dean is really not something I can decide. Master Lu and the others are still arguing about this position. "

Liu Bei smiled bitterly. He could decide the rest of the matters. After all, it was he who asked Chen Xi to establish Taishan Academy, at least on the surface.

However, matters like the position of the president of Taishan Academy was not something that a junior like him could decide. This matter could only be decided by the great scholars and descendants of the various schools of thought in Taishan Academy.

Especially now that Taishan Academy has started the study of etymology and dictionaries under the leadership of Jian Yong, the competition for the position of dean has become even more intense.

Liu Bei and Chen Xi only need to provide various resources to Taishan Academy, while Lu Zhi and other great Confucian scholars and the remaining branches of the Hundred Schools of Thought have many things to consider.

"Is that so...Okay, I'll go and see what they're doing then." Zheng Xuan said with a smile.

"I believe that Master Lu and the others will be very happy when they hear that Lord Kang Cheng is going to Taishan Academy." Liu Bei also said with a smile.

It's more than just happiness. I guess I'm almost ecstatic. After all, I have a new comrade-in-arms (actually a competitor).

"Hmph, I hope so." Zheng Xuan could not deny Liu Bei's statement.

After talking to Liu Bei, Zheng Xuan looked at Tao Qian. Now it was Tao Qian's turn to perform.

Tao Qian nodded, gently stroked the seal of the governor of Xuzhou beside him, and said to Liu Bei: "Lord Xuande, I hope you can take over this seal that represents the power of Xuzhou."

"Mr. Tao..." Liu Bei looked at Tao Qian, although he knew that Tao Qian had called him to Xuzhou just for this matter.

Looking at Tao Qian, who was just over sixty years old, Liu Bei sighed and shook his head unconsciously.

Unfortunately, before he completely consolidated his regime in Xuzhou, he had no way to tell Tao Qian that he had a way to let him live a few more years.

Just like Huangfu Song and Cai Yong, they are over 60 years old and are still living well.

Moreover, these elderly people fight with a group of people in Taishan Academy every day. They are so lively.

After seeing Liu Bei shaking his head, Tao Qian thought that Liu Bei wanted to refuse to take control of Xuzhou, and hurriedly said: "Xuan De, please don't refuse. I, Tao Qian, am already unable to do what I want. Before I die, I want to find a successor who can inherit my ideals."

"Uh..." Liu Bei realized what he had just done and couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Xuan De was terrified..."

Hearing Liu Bei say this, Tao Qian also breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that Liu Bei did not refuse to take control of Xuzhou, but had other ideas.

"Take it." Tao Qian handed the seal in his hand to Liu Bei. As long as Liu Bei still cared about the people of Xuzhou, that was enough.

"If you are not a virtuous person, then you are a capable person, and you belong to the Han Dynasty. You, Liu Xuande, are the most suitable candidate. Don't refuse." Tao Qian held Liu Bei's hand.

"Take good care of my two sons and the people of Xuzhou. Use their future to prove to me that my decision to entrust Xuzhou to you, Liu Xuande, was correct." Tao Qian looked at Liu Bei seriously and said.

Although Tao Qian was not backstabbed by the Xuzhou noble family in this life, which led to him vomiting blood or something.

However, Tao Qian, who was already in his sixties, could already feel that his time was running out.

By taking this opportunity to entrust Xuzhou to Liu Bei, he could also use the little time left to enjoy the happiness of playing with his grandchildren.

"Bei will definitely live up to Mr. Tao's trust!" Liu Bei took the seal that Tao Qian stuffed into his hands and said with a firm face.

Tao Qian has already said this. If Liu Bei continues to refuse and try to make three concessions and three refusals, he will be asking for a fight.

"Tao family, I, Liu Bei, will protect you as long as I live!" Liu Bei said solemnly. Since this is the case, let's go through the process again.

Although Liu Bei felt that with Tao Qian's current physical condition, he could live until the day they completely controlled Xuzhou.

However, in the current situation, Liu Bei cannot ignore the process. After all, the presence of Zheng Xuan will definitely be recorded in the history books.

Therefore, Liu Bei thought it would be better to complete the process first. At worst, he could go to Tao Qian to apologize after it was done.

"With Xuande's words, I feel relieved." Tao Qian didn't care about the conditions in Liu Bei's words.

This kind of thing, which sounds good from generation to generation, is actually a false proposition and there is no need to make any promises at all.

Who can guess what will happen a hundred years from now? Maybe by then the Han Dynasty will be a new world. "Oh, by the way, I have already sent the recommendation document to Chang'an. I estimate that Xuande will receive the appointment letter from His Majesty soon."

Perhaps because he had finally resolved the important issue that was weighing on his mind, Tao Qian's tone became much more relaxed.

Anyway, Tao Qian has already handed Xuzhou over to Liu Bei, and the recommendation documents have been sent to Chang'an. It is up to Liu Bei to decide how to settle Xuzhou next.

Zheng Xuan recorded the situation at the scene truthfully. After he had fully recorded the incident, he signed his name.

If anyone questions the truth of this matter in the future, it would be questioning Zheng Xuan's reputation.

"Congratulations, Lord Xuande." Li You was the first to stand up and congratulate Liu Bei.

With Xuzhou in hand, Liu Bei was one step closer to his goal of unifying the Han Dynasty and rebuilding a new world, and he was also one step closer to his ideal of Li You.

"Congratulations, Lord Xuande." Yang Ji followed Li You's steps and stood up to congratulate Liu Bei.

Tao Qian also bowed to congratulate Liu Bei, and then left the scene on the grounds of being unwell. In fact, he was just giving the scene to Liu Bei and letting him deal with the rest of the matters.

"Everyone, since I, Liu Xuande, have accepted the seal of the Governor of Xuzhou, and you all recognize me as the Governor of Xuzhou, then please listen to me." Liu Bei stood up and raised his glass to toast everyone on the field, then drank it all in one gulp.

"Lord Xuande, please speak." Chen Deng stood up and said to Liu Bei. If not now, when will he show the demeanor of the number one family in Xuzhou?
Liu Bei glanced at Chen Deng. Although there was a smile on his face, Liu Bei knew in his heart that Chen Deng was not the same kind of person as them after all.

What Liu Bei and Chen Xi valued was the Han Dynasty and the people of the world; while what Chen Deng valued was the Chen family of Xuzhou. Now everything Chen Deng did was for the Chen family of Xuzhou. The family was the only existence that Chen Deng was willing to give his all for.

After taking his eyes off Chen Deng, Liu Bei glanced at the heads of the noble families present, who were also the real rulers of Xuzhou.

But now... of course whoever has the bigger fist will be the ruler of Xuzhou.

Unfortunately, in Xuzhou, Liu Bei had the biggest fist, so Liu Bei became the ruler of Xuzhou.

The seal that Tao Qian gave to Liu Bei represented not only the power and reputation of Xuzhou, but also the 30,000 elite Danyang troops under Tao Qian's command.

Oh, by the way, according to Yang Ji’s suggestion, Liu Bei just needs to recruit the 30,000 elite Danyang troops outside the city.

As for the 3,000 personal guards under Tao Qian's command, do not move them. Just let them continue to follow Tao Qian. Tao Qian will need them in the future.

Since Liu Bei felt guilty towards Tao Qian, he could take these 3,000 Danyang guards as an apology, even though these 3,000 Danyang elite soldiers originally belonged to Tao Qian.

Liu Bei said to the people present with a smile: "Everyone, I have just arrived in Xuzhou, and there are still many things that I have not sorted out.

If I transfer officials from other places to Xuzhou, it might have an impact on Xuzhou.

Therefore, please continue to maintain the operation of the Xuzhou government office and do not let the chaos at the top affect the daily lives of the people of Xuzhou.

Of course, I will also consider whether officials at all levels in Xuzhou should stay in office." Liu Bei's voice was still very gentle at this time.

"But..." Liu Bei lowered his eyes and his voice turned cold.

"If the things you did before, such as starting a war, looting and killing civilians, happen again, I don't mind uprooting you."

Although Liu Bei's cold and stern voice sounded quite calm, anyone could hear the seriousness, solemnity, and terrifying murderous intent in it.

It was obvious that Liu Bei did not release any momentum, he was just calmly stating the fact.

However, everyone present felt a shadow weighing on their hearts, making it hard for them to breathe.

"Lord Xuande is benevolent!" Chen Deng bowed his head and said, and then all the people in Xuzhou bowed their heads and said "Lord Xuande is benevolent!"

After all, Liu Bei's threat also represented that Liu Bei had gotten over the incident of involving him in the mutiny.

Similarly, what Liu Bei said at this time also showed that he would not remove or demote officials at all levels in Xuzhou.

If you still want to continue to stay in Xuzhou or under Liu Bei's rule, it depends on what tricks you can come up with during the next transition period.

Of course, the fancy tricks here refer to those that are beneficial to the people, not those that are beneficial to yourself.

Amidst the shouts of “Lord Xuande is benevolent and virtuous,” the banquet organized by Tao Qian came to an end.

-

That night, Li You found Yang Ji lying in a courtyard in the Xuzhou government office, admiring the moon.

"This is really 'Even the scholars have not slept yet'." Yang Ji said with a smile to Li You who came covered in stars and moon.

"You haven't slept either." Li You said with a pout, and at the same time lay down on a recliner next to Yang Ji.

"It's already this late, why haven't I slept yet, don't you know?" Yang Ji glanced at Li You.

"It's not my fault. If you have the ability, go find Lord Xuande." Li You directly brought up Liu Bei.

"Wenru, wasn't it you who suggested coming to find Zi Yu at this time? Don't put the blame on me." Liu Bei walked into the yard with Xu Chu and Wu Anguo.

"This can't be blamed on me. Didn't I mention Zi Yu because you, Lord Xuande, told me about the Xuzhou army?" Li You said, shaking his head.

How could the matter be blamed on him? It was clearly Liu Bei who approached Tan about the rebellion of the Xuzhou Army, so he suggested Liu Bei to find Yang Ji.

"Lord Xuande came to me not just for the Xuzhou Army Group, right?" Yang Ji interrupted the two men's blame-shifting and asked Liu Bei directly.

"Ah, yes, and there is also the matter of the Xuzhou family." Liu Bei sighed, "Although I said during the day that I would let bygones be bygones.

But you also know that it is just a polite remark. The Xuzhou family is deeply rooted and cannot be solved by one or two liquidations. "

Li You took over the conversation and continued, "Although Lord Xuande and Lord Tao took advantage of this military turmoil to capture many people from the noble families.

But you also know what kind of people the noble families are. They put all the blame on Zuo Rong and Que Xuan, the two commanders of the private soldiers." Li You sighed.

(End of this chapter)