Sitting across from Li You, Liu Bei looked at the advisor, dressed in a green silk robe, and asked with a troubled expression, "Wenru, do we really need to do this?"
"Among the three great failings, being without descendants is the greatest. While Lady Gan is virtuous and modest, prudent and dignified, she remains childless. I urge you, Xuande, to consider this carefully," Li You advised with a smile. "The back chambers are empty. Please, Xuande, fill them with a few more companions."
"But isn't it a bit too blatant to let other lords' ministers know about this?" Liu Bei said, half amused, half exasperated.
"Food and sex are human nature. These are important matters of propriety. How can this be improper? Moreover, for the sake of the people under heaven, Xuande, you need to do this," Li You countered, pulling out his trump card. Liu Bei found it hard to argue against the phrase "for the sake of all under heaven."
Seeing that Liu Bei was wavering, Li You pressed further, "By exchanging momentary personal honor for the early stability of the people under heaven, and gaining beautiful women in the process, Xuande, it's not a loss for you. Don't hesitate."
Liu Bei smiled wryly. He simply couldn't out-argue Li You and could only nod in agreement. "Since that's the case, I leave it to you, Wenru. But if possible, please leave me some dignity."
"Of course, of course," Li You replied with a warm smile. He knew that as long as it was for Liu Bei's good, even if Liu Bei got angry later, it would only be a minor issue that would blow over in a few days.
"Master, please wait. I will go and welcome Ju Gong on your behalf," Li You said with a smile. From this point on, every step had to be taken carefully. If they played their cards right, Ju Shou might notice Liu Bei's apparent shortcomings and report back to Yuan Shao, causing Yuan to underestimate Liu Bei. While delivering a fatal blow to Yuan Shao was wishful thinking, at the very least, it would buy Liu Bei more time to develop, minimizing the damage to the northern fertile lands when the time for battle came.
"Li Wenru of Mount Tai greets Ju Gong of Jizhou. Lord Xuande invites you in, while General Hua is asked to remain outside," Li You said with a tone of a close servant to the emperor, addressing Ju Shou and Hua Xiong.
Ju Shou smiled and returned the greeting with a bow, already making some guesses about Li You's status. Someone who could speak to Hua Xiong, one of Liu Bei's top generals, in such a manner had to be a favored minister—and an extremely favored one at that.
Hua Xiong was initially taken aback by Li You's orders, but since it was Li You, he said nothing more and simply turned around to leave.
Ju Shou noted Hua Xiong's brief hesitation and inferred even more from it. Clearly, Li You's status was higher than Hua Xiong's, and Hua Xiong had expected to be allowed inside but was stopped by Li You without protest. This was getting interesting.
What Ju Shou didn't know was that Li You held a special place in Hua Xiong's eyes. Aside from Liu Bei, Li You was the only person who could speak to Hua Xiong in such a commanding tone. And unlike Liu Bei's broad acceptance of orders, Li You's commands were ones Hua Xiong would rationalize into reason, no matter how unreasonable they initially seemed. Hence, this wasn't Chen Xi deceiving people, but rather Li You being genuine—deceiving Ju Shou in the process.
"Li Wenru of Mount Tai, I have long heard of your name," Ju Shou greeted with a deep bow.
"Hahaha, receiving such praise from Ju Gong is an honor I hardly deserve!" Li You replied, though in practice, he accepted Ju Shou's bow with an air of satisfaction, internally cursing as he did so.
Ju Shou, always a cautious man, noted how many things had begun to suggest that Liu Bei was not the benevolent ruler the rumors painted him to be, nor was Mount Tai as harmonious as it was said to be. Yet, as a strategist, he knew he had to remain careful.
"Lord Xuande, Ju Gong of Jizhou and long-serving official of Yuan Benchu has arrived," Li You announced as he led Ju Shou through a door, revealing Liu Bei sitting behind a large crystal table, using a crystal teapot and cups to brew tea. The sight made Ju Shou's heart skip a beat!
Seeing Liu Bei casually handling the luxurious items, Ju Shou could tell this wasn't an act—it was a sign that Liu Bei had grown accustomed to such extravagance. Ju Shou began to think that his previous fears of Liu Bei had been unnecessary. The man playing with that teapot had clearly fallen into a life of luxury, losing his ambition in the process.
Li You, observing Liu Bei's actions, was pleased. At first, Liu Bei had been hesitant to touch the tea set Chen Xi had prepared. But after accidentally breaking a few pieces during a tea session with Chen Xi, Liu Bei had become indifferent. When one treats precious items with indifference, it exudes a certain carefree aura, and to Ju Shou, it seemed like Liu Bei had grown too used to a life of comfort.
"Ju Gong of Jizhou greets Lord Xuande," Ju Shou said, suddenly snapping out of his daze and bowing hastily to Liu Bei. "I was so mesmerized by the sight of such rare treasures that I lost myself for a moment. Please forgive my rudeness, Lord Xuande."
"Hahaha, Ju Gong, what do you think of my residence?" Liu Bei asked with a laugh.
"It is supremely luxurious, unmatched by anything in this world," Ju Shou replied truthfully. "It seems as though it was crafted by the heavens. May I ask how much it cost to build?"
"Hahaha, just a trifle," Liu Bei laughed heartily before adding, "But despite having such a grand residence, I have no heirs. As a descendant of King Jing of Zhongshan, I find my rear chambers empty. Building such a magnificent palace has brought shame to my ancestors!"
Ju Shou immediately understood Liu Bei's implication. What was King Jing of Zhongshan known for? Liu Sheng, a man who fathered 120 sons—a legendary figure of extraordinary fertility, someone who enjoyed music and beauty day and night. Liu Bei was clearly a reflection of his ancestor! The bloodline ran true!
This time, Ju Shou had no doubts. This wasn't something one would say lightly in front of an external minister. Once word got out, Liu Bei's reputation as a lover of indulgence would be set in stone. But if Liu Bei was merely following in the footsteps of his ancestors, what could be said?
Ju Shou, smiling, promised Liu Bei that when he returned to Jizhou, he would ask Yuan Shao to send some beauties over to Liu Bei to solidify the bond between their two households. Liu Bei eagerly agreed to Ju Shou's proposal for a truce and the return of Le Ling and other territories, expressing disdain for Gongsun Zan, who had intended to kill his clan brother—such actions were unforgivable.
Indeed, when Liu Bei learned that Gongsun Zan had planned to execute Liu Yu, he had harbored resentment toward Gongsun Zan. After all, Liu Yu had been a great help to Liu Bei, and they were of the same clan.
Back when Liu Bei submitted a petition, Liu Yu had lent his support, which made Liu Bei think that Gongsun Zan had gone too far. However, despite his anger, Liu Bei hadn't cut off the grain supplies to Gongsun Zan.
Since Liu Yu hadn't been killed, only frightened, Liu Bei had penned a letter full of grievances, hoping to make Gongsun Zan see reason. As for the outcome, it was clear to Li You and the others that Gongsun Zan had only become more extreme.
After finalizing the alliance, Li You escorted Ju Shou out and instructed the City Guard to take him to the inn in Fenggao. Turning back, Li You prepared to console Liu Bei. After all, Liu Bei had just made a fool of himself today. Although Liu Bei did have a taste for luxury and enjoyed pastimes like dog racing and cockfighting, he had never intended to emulate his ancestors in every way! So this "following the ancestors' footsteps" business felt rather embarrassing to Liu Bei.