Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

When Liu Bei asked Xu Shu and Shi Tao, Li Ji, who had taken a scroll of bamboo slips from the Jinyi Division, also came over and wanted to hear Xu Shu and Shi Tao's answers.

After approaching, Li Ji realized that Xu Shu and Shi Tao seemed to be younger than himself, only about ten years old, and very likely not even adult yet.

In response to Liu Bei's gentle question, Xu Shu and Shi Tao looked at each other.

Xu Shu did not show any fear, and responded with a dignified look and a bow.

"Shu and my good friend Shi Tao deeply appreciate the kindness and righteousness of Uncle Liu. Looking at the hundreds of county governors in the Han Dynasty, only Uncle Liu has been persistent in resettling refugees. His kindness and virtue are what a real man should do."

This statement undoubtedly touched Liu Bei's heart, and he smiled modestly and said, "It is the duty of a minister to govern a region for the emperor and bring peace to the people. How dare I talk about my achievements?"

Xu Shu showed some hesitation on his face, then it turned into determination, and he lowered his head and spoke in a deep voice.

"I am willing to follow Uncle Liu and create a benevolent and virtuous world. However, I dare not deceive Uncle Liu. I have wasted half of my life on bravery and fighting, and have studied for less than a year. I believe that I am not talented enough to assist you, my lord."

"So, this time I'm asking for an audience with you because I want you to take me south to Wujun to study at Rende Academy. Once I've learned enough, I'll serve you and obey your orders."

Shi Tao also bowed and said, "I do the same."

"This……"

When Liu Bei heard this, he never expected this to be the answer.

If Li Ji hadn't known Xu Shu and Shi Tao's deeds very well, it would have sounded like a scam...

I, Xu Shu, will send you money. I will repay you handsomely when I return from my studies.

In fact, Xu Shu, who was originally full of energy, gradually felt that what he said was a bit too presumptuous and rude.

The two parties had never met each other before, and Liu Bei had enough talented and uneducated scholars under his command to be loyal to him, so why should he treat me with courtesy?
Even if Xu Shu was considered a spy sent to spy on military intelligence, it would not be an exaggeration at all.

However, just as Xu Shu was becoming more and more uneasy, and even secretly regretting that he had not yet gotten rid of his reckless nature as a knight-errant.

Liu Bei clapped his hands and laughed, saying.

"Okay, since Xu Shu and Shi Tao have this intention, then you can follow the army and go south. However, whether you can enter Ren De Academy depends on your ability."

When these words were spoken, Shi Tao was overjoyed, while Xu Shu was a little stunned by surprise and asked instinctively.

"Isn't Liu Huangshu afraid that I'm a liar?"

When Shi Tao heard this, he was shocked and subconsciously pulled Xu Shu's sleeve to remind him not to say anything.

For Xu Shu and Shi Tao today, Liu Bei is undoubtedly the big man they have been rumored to be.

If they had not been at a loss, Xu Shu and Shi Tao would never have tried to visit Liu Bei.

Therefore, when Xu Shu asked this question, Shi Tao was really worried that it would anger Liu Bei, and that the two unknown people would lose their heads directly.

However, there was no sign of displeasure on Liu Bei's face.

"If you two are liars, I will just lose some food and energy. But you two are really interested in studying. When you become knowledgeable, I will also be able to train two talents for the Han Dynasty. There is no greater good, so why not do it?"

At this moment, the benevolence displayed by Liu Bei undoubtedly shocked Xu Shu and Shi Tao. Only Li Ji could not help but reveal a smile as if he had expected it.

“Do not refrain from doing good deeds because they are small, and do not commit evil deeds because they are small.”

This is Liu Bei's motto in dealing with people. Xu Shu and Shi Tao did not come to serve him, which certainly disappointed Liu Bei a little, but this did not affect Liu Bei's goodwill.

"A truly wise ruler."

Shi Tao sighed sincerely and couldn't help but bow to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei had been resettling refugees from the Central Plains for many years, and his reputation for benevolence was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people in the Central Plains. Otherwise, Shi Tao would not have agreed to Xu Shu coming for help this time.

But after spending less than a quarter of an hour in contact with Liu Bei, Shi Tao was still deeply impressed by Liu Bei and developed a strong desire to join him and be loyal to him.

"I have met a wise master, but I regret that I have not yet completed my studies..."

Shi Tao deeply regretted and hated his past laziness, so much so that now he did not have the confidence to directly serve a wise leader.

And in Xu Shu's eyes, Liu Bei seemed to be radiating light at this moment...

The next moment, in front of Liu Bei and Li Ji's somewhat surprised eyes, Xu Shu suddenly knelt down and bowed, saying, "I am ashamed of my uncle's trust in me. Actually, Xu Shu's original name was Xu Fu. He killed someone to avenge his friend a year ago and was wanted by the yamen runners. In order to avoid being hunted down, he changed his name to Xu Shu..."

When it comes to this, Xu Shu's feelings are complicated.

However, Xu Shu's loyalty made it difficult for him to tolerate deceiving Liu Bei when he was enjoying Liu Bei's trust and goodwill.

So even though Xu Shu was extremely worried that he would be despised and expelled by Liu Bei after telling the truth, he still chose to tell everything.

Shi Tao looked at Xu Shu who suddenly exploded and his eyes went dark. He almost passed out from anger.

Liu Bei was an official of the Han Dynasty after all. He revealed his identity as a wanted criminal directly in front of the officials. Wasn't this just walking into a trap and asking to have his head chopped off?

However, the development of things was somewhat beyond Shi Tao's expectations.

Instead of showing any annoyance on his face, Liu Bei showed a hint of appreciation.

"To avenge a friend without risking one's life is called righteousness; to tell the truth without hiding anything is called trustworthiness..."

After a pause, Liu Bei turned to Li Ji and said, "Zikun, meeting such a righteous and trustworthy person, my trip to Yingchuan this time was not without gain."

Li Ji also echoed, saying, "Xu Shu is a man of integrity. He has promised to be loyal to the lord after he completes his studies, and he will certainly not break his word. Congratulations in advance to the lord for finding such a talented person."

The question and answer between Liu Bei and Li Ji quickly eased the tension of Xu Shu and Shi Tao.

This can be regarded as a small tacit understanding between Liu Bei and Li Ji, the master and his minister. They do not need to communicate in advance and cooperate with each other invisibly.

In fact, Xu Shu's killing for his friend might be a black spot in the eyes of other princes, but it was undoubtedly a plus point in Liu Bei's group.

Apart from anything else, Guan Yu was originally from Jie County, Hedong County. He was hunted for killing someone for his friend, so he had to flee all the way to Zhuo County, Youzhou, where he met Liu Bei.

Therefore, Xu Shu's initiative to state this point not only did not make Liu Bei despise him, but instead made him feel closer to him.

If a person is willing to sacrifice his life for his friends, he will definitely be a loyal and righteous person when he pledges allegiance to them in the future.

Immediately, Liu Bei personally stepped forward to help Xu Shu up and asked in a gentle voice.

"The reason you want to go south to Wu County is that you are worried about being hunted down by the government? If so, you don't have to go to Wu County. I can try to communicate with the local government and ask them to cancel the wanted bounty order."

"After that, you can stay in Yingchuan and study peacefully. It's fine for you to come to Wujun to find me after you finish your studies."

How could Xu Shu not be deeply moved by Liu Bei's words?

Even Xu Shu's eyes turned red almost visibly, and he answered gratefully.

"Thank you, uncle, for your concern. I am so grateful that I cannot express it in words. However, I almost died at the hands of a government official a few years ago. I realized that the bravery of a knight-errant is only against one person. So I want to learn the wisdom of a knight who can fight against thousands of enemies on the battlefield."

"It's a pity that I was born in a humble family and it's hard for me to find a way to study in the private schools in Yingchuan. I heard that Rende Academy teaches everyone, so I want to go to Wujun to study."

"But my family is poor, and we only have a little wealth. If I use it as travel expenses, my mother may not be able to support herself. I just heard that Emperor Liu passed through Yingchuan, and I have long heard of his benevolence, so I tried to ask to follow the army to Wujun."

After Liu Bei heard this, he looked towards Xu Shu with an expression of uncontrollable admiration in his eyes.

In just a brief contact, Xu Shu's words and actions fully demonstrated his character of "loyalty, righteousness, filial piety and trustworthiness".

Even though Xu Shu repeatedly claimed that his talent and knowledge were not enough to assist the lord, Liu Bei had secretly decided to entrust Xu Shu with important tasks in the future.

"I see……"

The more Liu Bei looked at Xu Shu, the more he liked him, and said.

"Don't worry. Since you are determined to study, just go south with me."

"As for my old mother at home, you don't have to worry about it. I still have a little money. I will lend you some money for my mother. You can study with peace of mind. After you finish your studies, you can find a way to pay me back."

Xu Shu was extremely grateful, knowing that Liu Bei asked for the loan in the name of "borrowing" because he respected him and did not want to belittle his choice with money.

This moved Xu Shu so much that he wanted to kneel down again and spoke with gratitude.

"I have no way to repay you, so I will die for you after I finish my studies." (End of this chapter)