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Xiangyang City, within the provincial government.

Liu Bei wore a smiling countenance as he personally met with the officials who had pledged allegiance in Xiangyang.

Ma Liang, Chen Zhen, Yang Yi, Xiang Lang, Huo Jun...

Among these men, some were natives of Xiangyang, while others, though not local, held official positions within the city.

The two great clans, Cai and Kuai, monopolized the military and political power of Jingzhou, controlling all key posts.

Countless talented and distinguished scholars and heroes in Xiangyang were squeezed out by these two clans, their ambitions stifled.

Among them, many refused to submit to Cao Cao.

Now, with Cai Mao and Kuai Yue fleeing south alongside Liu Cong, it was only natural that these men remained behind, changing their allegiance to serve under Liu Bei.

With such a wealth of talent coming to him, Liu Bei was eager to welcome them all with proper courtesy and grand hospitality.

“My lord, Mr. Xiao He has arrived,” Zhao Yun reported promptly as he entered the hall ahead of the others.

Liu Bei’s spirit lifted immediately. Rising from his seat, he descended the steps and, accompanied by Zhuge Liang and Zhang Fei, went out to greet him personally.

“Congratulations to Lord Liu Yuzhou on reclaiming Xiangyang!” Xiao He approached with a cheerful smile, clasping his hands in salute.

Liu Bei hurried forward to steady him, gratitude shining on his face.

“Were it not for your guidance, Mr. Xiao, I would still be stubbornly lost. At this moment, it would be I, Liu Bei, fleeing south.”

“The credit for reclaiming Xiangyang belongs solely to you, sir. It is I who should be expressing thanks,” Liu Bei said, bowing respectfully.

“Liu Yuzhou, you must not say such things!” Xiao He quickly steadied Liu Bei, smiling wryly.

“I merely moved my lips. The brilliant strategy to quell Xiangyang was devised by Commander Kongming. The soldiers and officers fought under your leadership, and it was the generals who risked their lives to win this battle.”

“If you were to claim all the credit, I would be truly undeserving and utterly ashamed.”

His modest words subtly shifted all praise to Liu Bei and those present.

The smooth humility pleased everyone, deepening their respect for Xiao He.

Liu Bei laughed heartily, taking Xiao He by the arm as they proceeded into the hall.

“Send for the servants at once—wine must be brought! I will drink with Mr. Xiao until we are merry!”

Laughter followed as all entered the hall.

After a while, the celebration feast was laid out.

Several cups of wine had been drained when Liu Bei suddenly stood again. Adjusting his attire, he approached Xiao He, his expression turning solemn.

Sensing something, Xiao He rose quickly.

“Though I was born humble and have mediocre talent, my heart has always longed to restore the Han and uphold the realm!” Liu Bei began earnestly.

“Yet, lacking both literary wisdom and martial skill, I have only ambition without the ability to pacify the people or govern the nation. For half my life, I drifted aimlessly, resigned to a wasted existence.”

“Until the third visit to the thatched cottage, when I secured the help of Master Zhuge Liang, hope was rekindled. I glimpsed a dawn where the Han could be restored.”

“Fortune has not abandoned our Han; it has granted me the rare chance to meet a sage like you, Master Bowen, who has guided me through the fog and enabled me to seize Xiangyang. Now I have the confidence to face Lord Cao.”

“I hereby beseech you, Master Bowen, to come forth and aid me in eliminating the Cao villain, restoring the realm and rebuilding the Han!”

“I entreat you!”

A great weight lifted from Xiao He’s heart.

This invitation—the promise of support—had finally come to him.

Yet the manner in which it was offered left him somewhat overwhelmed.

Who was Liu Bei?

The esteemed Left General of the Han, Governor of Yuzhou, the famed Imperial Uncle Liu known throughout the land.

The hero Cao Cao himself recognized alongside him as the two greatest figures under heaven.

Though fallen on hard times, he remained a formidable warlord.

And now, before so many of his followers, he had humbled himself with grand ceremony just to enlist a reclusive scholar from the mountains as his advisor.

Such deference to talent was rare not only in this age but throughout history.

Guards like Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun, though momentarily surprised, quickly regained their composure.

They knew Liu Bei too well.

Repeated defeats, yet relentless struggle, a lifetime of hardship yielding nothing.

Why?

Because he had never had a strategist like Xun Yu, who could illuminate the path ahead and clear the clouds.

Hence his three visits to the thatched cottage to summon Zhuge Liang.

Now, fortune had smiled again with Xiao He’s arrival, and overnight he commanded Xiangyang, securing a foothold from which to challenge Cao Cao.

Such a seemingly divine savior could not be invited with anything less than the grandest respect.

“Lord Liu Yuzhou, why do you do this?” Xiao He hastened to steady Liu Bei, feigning surprise.

“I am but a simple mountain man, who by chance rendered you a small favor. How dare I claim to be a sage from beyond the world?”

“To assist you in restoring the Han is a weight far beyond my capacity.”

He gently declined.

A true strategist must appear reserved, lest the lord think he was too easily won over.

For things gained too readily are seldom cherished.

Besides, Zhuge Liang—the shining example—stood nearby.

If the Sleeping Dragon required three visits, surely I may require a few polite refusals.

Seeing Xiao He’s polite rebuffs, Liu Bei was momentarily unsure how to proceed.

Zhuge Liang’s lips curled into a faint smile; he knew this routine well.

Clearing his throat, he rose and spoke with gravity:

“Master Bowen, you need not be modest. Your wisdom and strategy are plain to all here.”

“If you were ordinary, how could you have foreseen Liu Biao’s fearful demise and Liu Cong’s surrender to Cao, and devised the daring plan to seize Xiangyang?”

“If you were common, how could you know the heroes of Xiangyang so well as to recommend the fierce warrior Wei Wenchang as an insider?”

“In my view, your talent exceeds mine tenfold!”

“I earnestly implore you to cast aside humility, think of the people under heaven, the fate of the Han, and join me in standing shoulder to shoulder to assist our lord in restoring the realm!”

“I beg you!”

Zhuge Liang adorned him with every high compliment and bowed in deference.

Zhang Fei, growing impatient, stepped forward:

“Mr. Xiao, stop your modesty and refusals.”

“We ain’t blind; we all know you are a talent fit to be the king’s pillar, hiding your brilliance all this while.”

“Just say you’ll help my brother. If you don’t, I’ll have to kneel and beg you!”

With that, Zhang Fei leapt forward, about to drop to his knees.

Now it was Xiao He’s turn to grow flustered.

His polite refusals had been mere ceremony.

Zhuge Liang’s flattering words had set the mood for acceptance.

But Zhang Fei’s sudden display, about to kneel before him, was a step too far.

If the third-ranking figure in the group was on his knees, this play would be overacted.

“General Yide, that must not happen!” Xiao He quickly caught Zhang Fei before he could kneel.

Breathing a quiet sigh of relief, Xiao He straightened his robes, then bowed deeply to Liu Bei.

“I am but a humble mountain recluse, truly honored by the great regard of Lord Liu Yuzhou and all here.”

“Though my talent may be modest, I am willing to do all I can to assist Lord Yuzhou in restoring the Han.”

“My lord, please accept my humble bow!”