Chapter 9: If Master Pang Does Not Come Forth, What Shall Become of the Common People?

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“Bah! What a piece of work!” Zhao Shaojie spat contemptuously at Cai Mao’s retreating back.

The man had glared at him when he entered, then glared at him again when he left. What a bastard!

Liu Feng and Fu Tong stood there at a loss.

This was Xiangyang. If Cai Mao decided to play rough, they might not even be able to leave the city.

Just as Liu Feng and Fu Tong were preparing to counsel Zhao Shaojie, Liu Bei suddenly emerged. He glanced at the three of them and said, “Come on. We’re returning to Xinye at once.”

Zhao Shaojie turned and asked, “Did Liu Biao agree?”

“He did. Governor Liu has asked me to move my troops to Fancheng, where we can face Xiangyang from across the river. He may even allow me to send forces southward, and perhaps provide grain, weapons, and equipment as well. Brother, this is truly…” Liu Bei himself found it hard to believe. This time, Liu Biao had given so generously that it seemed almost unbelievable.

Zhao Shaojie was startled as well. Clicking his tongue, he said, “So he really does know that he hasn’t much longer to live. That must be why he has suddenly become so generous!”

Then his tone shifted. “My lord, there’s no need to hurry back just yet. There’s another talent in Xiangyang we need to recruit. He’s slightly inferior to Kongming, yet somewhat superior to Xu Shu—a first-rate talent!”

Liu Bei was already in high spirits, and those words lifted them even higher. “Who?”

“Pang Tong, Pang Shiyuan!”

Zhao Shaojie briefly considered the notable figures of Jingzhou. At present, the only truly outstanding ones were Pang Tong and Wen Pin. Unfortunately, Wen Pin was one of Liu Biao’s senior generals. Unless Liu Biao gave his approval, there was no chance of Wen Pin joining Liu Bei’s ranks.

Pang Tong, however, had yet to take office. They could give it a try. He would join them sooner or later anyway; this was merely an early effort.

Liu Bei frowned. “Pang Tong? I know of him. But he has no intention of entering public service. He has declined every summons from the provincial and commandery authorities. I fear it will be difficult to invite him.”

Zhao Shaojie knitted his brows. “He won’t come? Not even with a blade at his throat?” It seemed that Zhou Yu had used precisely that method to bring Pang Tong into government service.

Liu Bei was both amused and exasperated, but remembering Zhao Shaojie’s assessment, he agreed nonetheless.

After leaving the governor’s residence, the group set out for Pang Tong’s home. The Pang family was one of Jingzhou’s great clans, and after making a few inquiries, they quickly found the address.

When Pang Tong heard that Liu Bei had come in person, he was overjoyed and personally went out to welcome him.

“Governor Liu, please!”

“After you, Shiyuan!”

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Watching Liu Bei and Pang Tong behaving with such warmth, Zhao Shaojie could not help but marvel. Liu Bei truly was a master at building relationships. Without saying much at all, he had won Pang Tong’s approval with only a few gestures.

Once inside, host and guests took their seats.

“Shiyuan, my lord heard my recommendation and thinks very highly of you. So, what do you say? Would you consider coming to serve with us?” Zhao Shaojie asked with a beaming smile the moment everyone had settled into their kneeling positions—an awkward posture he found increasingly unbearable.

Pang Tong cast him an astonished glance.

Liu Bei’s expression stiffened as well, but he followed Zhao Shaojie’s lead with a smile. “I have long heard of Pang Shiyuan’s abilities. I tried several times before to invite you, but I was told that you had no wish to enter public service, and so I dared not disturb you rashly.”

“This time, Shaojie spoke of your extraordinary talents and insisted that I invite you personally. May I ask, sir, whether you would be willing to take office?”

Pang Tong looked at Liu Bei’s earnest expression, then at Zhao Shaojie, who seemed to be sitting on pins and needles. After a moment’s thought, he said, “The realm will soon be at peace. I have no intention of entering public service.”

Before Liu Bei could reply, Zhao Shaojie could not restrain himself. “Pang Shiyuan, that’s a bit unfair. Don’t you have even the slightest desire to establish a name for yourself? Besides, it will be Cao Cao who pacifies the realm. By then, the empire will belong to a different house. Can you truly remain unmoved? Yes, a change of dynasty would hardly affect a great clan like yours. You could still take office just as before. But are you really willing to let all your talent remain buried?”

“You’re bound to enter public service eventually, and you can only do so under my lord. It’s merely a matter of time, so stop refusing and get on with it!”

The moment those words left his mouth, the entire room fell silent.

Everyone stared at Zhao Shaojie in stunned disbelief.

“Shiyuan, please do not take offense. Shaojie is young…” Liu Bei began, attempting to smooth things over.

But Pang Tong did not take offense at all. Instead, he threw back his head and laughed heartily. “Shaojie is truly a remarkable man. I have never heard anyone put things so bluntly. It is true that I long to establish a name and accomplish something worthy. Yet in the present realm, there is no longer any room for Governor Liu to display his abilities.”

“If I were to enter the governor’s service—”

“Then create room for yourself!” Zhao Shaojie interrupted. “As the saying goes, when there are no difficulties, one must create difficulties and overcome them. If opportunities were everywhere, how would anyone know what you were capable of? It is precisely in a hopeless situation like this that a true hero reveals himself!”

Pang Tong was slightly taken aback. After a moment, he nodded. “There is some truth in that. However…”

“No more ‘however.’ Listen to me, Pang Tong. You and Zhuge Liang are talents of the same caliber. Protect yourself, accomplish a few things, and you can leave your name in the annals of history just as he will—your reputation carried throughout the ages! I believe you can do it!”

With that, Zhao Shaojie, unable to endure the kneeling position any longer, rose directly to his feet. “All right, then. It’s settled. We’re returning to Xinye!”

Apart from Liu Bei, everyone else was utterly bewildered. They stared at Zhao Shaojie as though they could hardly believe their ears.

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Leaving one’s name in the annals of history and having one’s fame endure throughout the universe—wasn’t that taking things a little too far?

Only Liu Bei was shaken to the core.

Was Pang Tong truly that extraordinary?

With heartfelt sincerity, he said, “The realm is in chaos, the Han imperial house teeters on the brink, and the common people suffer terribly from war. If Shiyuan truly possesses the ability to shake the universe, how could he refuse to enter public service?”

“Exactly! If Master Pang does not step forth, what will become of the people?” Zhao Shaojie added, repeating a line he could no longer remember where he had heard.

This time, Pang Tong could no longer remain seated. He sprang to his feet and stared blankly at Zhao Shaojie.

He had always believed himself possessed of the talent to assist an emperor, but he had never found anyone worthy of his allegiance. That was why he had remained at home all this time.

Now, Zhao Shaojie’s extravagant praise and Liu Bei’s earnest demeanor satisfied him completely.

“If that is so, I am willing to accompany you to Xinye and see for myself.”

Before Liu Bei could say anything, Zhao Shaojie had already walked over and burst into laughter. “That’s more like it! That’s more like it! Shiyuan, I know how to read faces. Remember what I just told you. In future battles, stay safely in the central command. You have the look of someone destined to be struck by a hidden arrow, so just try not to become too arrogant.”

Liu Bei felt a pang of regret. It seemed that Pang Tong would one day be killed by a surprise attack from the shadows.

…

Xinye.

Gan Ning had finally arrived from Jiangxia with several hundred retainers. The one sent to receive him was Zhao Yun.

“May I ask where Governor Liu is?” Gan Ning dispensed with formalities and went straight to the point.

Zhao Yun smiled amiably. “Our lord has gone to Xiangyang to visit Governor Liu. He will be returning shortly.”

“Our lord?” Gan Ning was slightly taken aback. He had not expected that Liu Bei—reduced to a single borrowed city in Xinye—would still have subordinates who willingly addressed him as their lord. The man evidently possessed some ability after all.

But his words remained sharp. “Governor Liu asked me to help train your naval forces. Have the barracks been prepared?”

Zhao Yun did not take offense and continued to answer pleasantly. “The barracks have long been prepared, and the meals are ready as well. We were merely waiting for your arrival.”

Gan Ning still felt resentful. Then, as though struck by a sudden thought, he said, “I have heard that Governor Liu has many heroes under his command. Do you dare…”