The moonlight over Xinye (a border town, present-day Xinye County, Henan Province) carried a chill, streaming through the window lattice of the prefecture's study and falling on Xu Shu's (styled Yuanzhi) pale face. When the news that "his mother had been abducted" reached his ears, he felt his blood freeze instantly. The military book in his hand slammed to the ground, his pupils contracted sharply, and his mind went completely blank.
"Mother... who abducted her?" His voice trembled as he grabbed the messenger soldier's arm, his grip so tight it almost crushed the man's bones. "Is the news true? How did Wei's army find my hometown in Yingchuan?"
Terrified by the panic and hostility in Xu Shu's eyes, the soldier stammered in reply: "Mr. Xu, it was reported by Wei's spies. Xiahou Yuan sent a team of elites disguised as civilians to Yingchuan. They broke into the old residence in the middle of the night, tricked the old lady into leaving by pretending to be acting on your and Lord Liu's orders, and are now on their way to Wei's camp outside Xinye."
Xu Shu stumbled back two steps and collapsed into the wooden chair by the desk. Unconsciously, his mother's figure appeared before his eyes: nearly eighty years old, her hair already gray, wrinkles crisscrossing the corners of her eyes, and the hands that had once mended his clothes and lit the oil lamp were covered with calluses from years of toil. He had lost his father at an early age, and it was his mother who had raised him with painstaking care, weaving and spinning to earn money for his education, teaching him the principles of "loyalty, filial piety, integrity, and righteousness."
In the bitter cold of winter, his mother had woven through the night to keep him warm; in the scorching heat of summer, she had worked in the fields under the blazing sun; when he was weak and ill as a child, she had carried him for dozens of li along mountain roads to seek medical treatment.
"Yuanzhi, in dealing with others, filial piety and loyalty must come first. If you meet a wise lord in the future, you must serve him wholeheartedly and never betray his trust; if there is trouble at home, no matter how great the difficulties and dangers, you must protect your mother's safety." His mother's teachings still echoed in his ears, every word as heavy as a thousand catties.
Yet now, he had joined Liu Bei (styled Xuan De) as an advisor. Liu Bei had treated him with immense kindness, recognizing his talent as a scholar and never looking down on his humble origins. Instead, he had entrusted him with great responsibilities, handing over full authority over the army's strategies. When Xu Shu was at his most down-and-out and unappreciated, it was Liu Bei who had invited him repeatedly, moving him with sincere devotion; when he had offered strategies to repel the enemy and achieved minor merits, it was Liu Bei who had rewarded him generously and followed his advice without hesitation. This kindness of recognition was like that of a reborn parent, making him resolve long ago to assist Liu Bei in reviving the Han Dynasty and achieving great things.
On one side was his mother, who had raised him with painstaking care, now imprisoned and her life hanging in the balance; on the other was his wise lord, who had shown him great kindness and was in urgent need of help, with Xinye on the verge of collapse. The eternal dilemma of "Loyalty and filial piety cannot be fulfilled at the same time" struck his heart like a sharp blade, filling him with unbearable agony.
He paced back and forth in the study, trapped in inner conflict. If he did not go to Wei's camp, his elderly mother, with her strong temperament, would surely prefer death to surrender in the face of Wei's army's coercion and inducements, and her fate would be unthinkable. But if he went to Wei's camp, he would be betraying Liu Bei, violating his original aspiration to assist a wise lord. He would not only be branded as "disloyal and unrighteous" but also leave the already struggling Liu Bei without his only advisor, making the fall of Xinye inevitable.
"Mother... Lord..." Xu Shu hugged his head, squatted on the ground in pain, and tears fell silently. He thought of the days fighting side by side with Liu Bei, of Liu Bei's anxious expression over the sufferings of the people, of the trust and respect shown to him by generals like Guan Yu and Zhang Fei (styled Yi De). Guilt surged within him like a tide. Yet at the thought of the suffering his mother might be enduring, he could not stand idly by.
In the dead of night, the prefecture was silent, except for the whimper of the wind blowing through the window lattice. Xu Shu wiped away his tears, his eyes gradually hardening with determination. He stood up, straightened his robes, gripped the long sword at his waist, and resolutely walked toward Liu Bei's bedroom. He knew this decision would earn him eternal infamy, but he had no choice—his mother was his root; without her, there would be no Xu Shu today.
Liu Bei was already tossing and turning, unable to sleep due to the news of Xu Shu's mother's abduction. Hearing that Xu Shu had come to see him late at night, he quickly got up and opened the door. Seeing Xu Shu's haggard appearance and red eyes, Liu Bei's heart sank, and he said softly: "Yuanzhi, you've come so late—could it be about the old lady?"
Xu Shu knelt down on both knees, bowed deeply to Liu Bei, and his voice choked: "My Lord, I... am guilty!"
"Yuanzhi, get up quickly. Speak slowly." Liu Bei hurried to help him up, already having a bad premonition.
Xu Shu stood up, his gaze burning as he looked at Liu Bei, his tone firm yet full of guilt: "My Lord, my mother was abducted by Xiahou Yuan, and this disaster befell her because of me. Xiahou Yuan's motive is clearly to force me to surrender. I have been taught by my mother since childhood that 'Filial piety is the foundation of all virtues.' Now that my mother is in danger, if I do not go to Wei's camp, she will surely meet an untimely end. Therefore, I have come tonight to take my leave—I will go to Wei's camp tomorrow morning to rescue my mother."
Liu Bei froze, a look of disbelief appearing on his face, which quickly turned to deep regret and reluctance. He opened his mouth to say something, but swallowed it back. He understood Xu Shu's filial piety and his predicament; to forcibly retain him would be unreasonable.
"Yuanzhi," Liu Bei sighed deeply, his tone bitter, "the old lady's misfortune is a sudden disaster sent by heaven, and has nothing to do with you. How could I stop you from rescuing your mother? But... but after you leave, what will become of Xinye? Twenty thousand of Wei's troops are pressing down on the city. Although I have fierce generals like Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun (styled Zi Long) under my command, I have no advisor who can devise strategies and command the overall situation. What shall we do?"
Looking at Liu Bei's haggard face, Xu Shu felt even more guilty: "My Lord, I am sorry for failing your kindness of recognition! Although I am forced to go to Wei's camp, I swear to you: I will never offer a single strategy or plan to Cao Cao (styled Meng De) for the rest of my life! Even if I am trapped in Wei's camp, my heart will always be with you and the cause of reviving the Han Dynasty!"
He paused, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes: "My Lord, although I am leaving, there is one person whose talent is ten times greater than mine. If you can invite him to leave the mountain to assist you, he will surely help you turn the tide and achieve great things."
"Oh? Who is this person?" Liu Bei's eyes suddenly lit up with hope, and he pressed eagerly.
"This is my good friend, Zhuge Liang (styled Kong Ming, titled Wolong), who lives in seclusion at Woyun Cottage on Wolong Mountain." Xu Shu's tone was full of admiration. "Brother Kong Ming has read extensively since childhood, proficient in military strategy and tactics. He has also mastered the Xu Pin Heart Method, enabling him to observe qi, discern trends, deduce the Dao of heaven, and is well-versed in Mohist mechanisms and Taoist mystical arts—truly a rare genius for centuries. In the past, when I gathered with Cui Zhouping, Shi Guangyuan, and others to meet him, I listened to his discussions on the overall situation of the world. Every word was profound and insightful, and his foresight and wisdom are far beyond my reach."
He explained further: "Although Brother Kong Ming lives in seclusion in the mountains, he cares about the world and has long seen through the current situation of warlords dividing the land. If he leaves the mountain, he will surely formulate a long-term strategy for you, helping you occupy a firm position, divide the world with Cao Cao and Sun Quan (styled Zhong Mou), and ultimately revive the Han Dynasty. However, Brother Kong Ming has a noble temperament and can only be moved by sincerity. If you wish to invite him to leave the mountain, you must go to Wolong Mountain in person, inviting him with sincere devotion—only then may he agree."
Upon hearing this, the sorrow and despair in Liu Bei's heart were gradually replaced by a glimmer of light. He firmly grasped Xu Shu's hand and said excitedly: "Yuanzhi! If such a person truly exists, then heaven will not abandon me, Liu Bei! Tomorrow, I will prepare rich gifts and personally go to Wolong Mountain to visit Mr. Kong Ming!"
Seeing that Liu Bei had turned from sorrow to joy, Xu Shu felt a little relieved and bowed: "I am relieved to hear that you have this intention, my Lord. If Brother Kong Ming is willing to leave the mountain, he will never fail your trust. When I go to Wei's camp, I will try my best to delay time, striving for an opportunity for you to invite Brother Kong Ming to leave the mountain."
The two talked all night, recalling the past days of fighting side by side and discussing future countermeasures. When the sky turned pale in the east, Xu Shu stood up to take his leave. Liu Bei personally accompanied him to the city gate, handing him a bag of travel expenses and a brocade robe: "Yuanzhi, the road to Wei's camp is dangerous—you must take care of yourself. I have sent people to inquire about the old lady's news; if there is a chance, I will surely try to rescue you and your mother."
Xu Shu took the brocade robe, tears in his eyes, and bowed deeply to Liu Bei: "I will never forget your great kindness, my Lord! If there is a chance in the future, I will surely repay you!" With that, he mounted his horse and galloped toward Wei's camp without looking back. Liu Bei watched his fading figure, his heart filled with reluctance and expectation—reluctant to part with Xu Shu, and even more eager for Zhuge Liang to leave the mountain soon to support him.
The next day, Xu Shu arrived at Wei's camp. Xiahou Yuan was overjoyed to see him and quickly ordered a feast in his honor. But Xu Shu, worried about his mother, politely declined the feast and insisted on seeing his mother first. Seeing this, Xiahou Yuan had no choice but to send someone to invite Mother Xu to the main tent.
It was not until she arrived at Wei's camp that Mother Xu realized she had been deceived. As soon as she saw Xu Shu, she trembled with anger, pointed at his nose, and scolded: "Unfilial son! Do you know why I was abducted here? Xiahou Yuan wants to use me to coerce you into betraying Liu Bei and defecting to Cao Cao! Liu Bei is a clansman of the Han Dynasty, renowned for his benevolence—a rare wise lord. Yet for my sake, you betray him. How can you, such a disloyal and unrighteous man, be worthy of being my son?"
With that, Mother Xu suddenly rushed toward the nearby pillar, intending to die to prove her integrity. Xu Shu was terrified, quickly stepped forward to hold her, and tears poured out: "Mother! You misunderstand me! How could I be such a disloyal and unrighteous person?"
He helped his mother sit down and explained softly: "Mother, I did not come to Wei's camp to truly defect to Cao Cao, but to use a feigned surrender strategy. Xiahou Yuan abducted you solely to make me serve him and undermine Xinye's defense. If I had not come, you would surely have lost your life; if I had truly defected, I would have betrayed the Lord's kindness of recognition and violated your teachings. Therefore, I pretended to surrender—first, to save your life, and second, to find an opportunity to use a strategy to make Wei's army withdraw voluntarily, protecting the Lord and the people of Xinye."
Hearing this, Mother Xu's expression gradually softened, and she looked at him doubtfully: "Is what you say true? What strategy do you have to make Wei's army withdraw?"
"Don't worry, Mother," a sharp light flashed in Xu Shu's eyes. "In my early years, I learned some 'mind-confusing techniques' from a hermit. Although they cannot harm people, they can disturb their minds. Xiahou Yuan is impetuous, suspicious, and jealous. I only need to use a small trick in front of him to provoke conflicts between him and his subordinates, throwing Wei's army into chaos. He will naturally feel that Xinye is difficult to conquer and withdraw voluntarily."
He held his mother's hand, his tone sincere: "Mother, I know filial piety and loyalty are hard to balance, but I will never betray the Lord. After Wei's army withdraws, I will find a way to escape from Wei's camp with you, return to seclusion in the mountains, and never interfere in world affairs again. I only ask you to endure for a few more days and cooperate with me in this play."
Looking at the determination and guilt in her son's eyes, the anger in Mother Xu's heart gradually faded. She sighed and stroked Xu Shu's head: "Yuanzhi, I know you are filial, and I know you do not truly intend to defect to Cao Cao. Since you already have a plan, I will trust you this once. Remember, no matter what happens, you must never do anything against your conscience or betray the wise lord. Otherwise, even if I die, I will never forgive you."
Xu Shu nodded heavily: "Don't worry, Mother. I will remember your teachings and never offer a single strategy to Cao Cao for the rest of my life!"
After comforting his mother, Xu Shu went to Xiahou Yuan's central army tent. Seeing Xu Shu's calm expression, Xiahou Yuan was secretly pleased and quickly asked: "Yuanzhi, now that your mother is in my camp, are you willing to submit to the Prime Minister (highest administrative official) and serve our army?"
Xu Shu pretended to hesitate, then bowed: "General Xiahou, although Liu Bei has treated me well, my mother's life is more important. Now that my mother is in your camp, if I do not submit, she will surely suffer. Therefore, I am willing to defect to Cao Cao and serve you."
Overjoyed, Xiahou Yuan said: "Good! Yuanzhi is indeed a filial son! As long as you can offer a strategy to capture Xinye, after we take the city, I will surely report to the Prime Minister and reward you and your mother with official positions and titles."
Xu Shu sneered inwardly but pretended to be respectful: "Thank you for your kindness, General. However, I have just defected and am not yet familiar with the situation of Wei's army. I need to observe for a few days before offering a strategy to defeat the enemy. But I have something to say—dare I speak it?"
"Feel free to speak, Yuanzhi." Xiahou Yuan replied.
Xu Shu lowered his voice, his tone mysterious: "General, when I was in Xinye, I heard that many generals under Cao Cao are dissatisfied, believing that you monopolize power and take credit for their achievements. This time, you lead twenty thousand troops to attack Xinye—if you can capture it smoothly, all will be well; but if the siege drags on, someone will surely speak ill of you to the Prime Minister, and your position will be in danger."
Xiahou Yuan frowned. He was already suspicious by nature, and Xu Shu's words immediately made him uneasy. Seeing this, Xu Shu added fuel to the fire: "Moreover, I have observed that several of your lieutenants have different expressions, as if they have ulterior motives. Especially the vanguard general Zhang Liao—he is brave and skilled in battle, deeply trusted by the Prime Minister. This time, accompanying you on the expedition, he is probably already coveting your position. If you do not guard against him, you may be betrayed."
As he spoke, he secretly circulated the mystical qi in his body, gathering a faint force of confusion at his fingertips, which he transmitted to Xiahou Yuan through his words. This mind-confusing technique was not sorcery, but rather used mystical qi to interfere with people's minds, amplifying their inherent suspicions and doubts.
Xiahou Yuan was already agitated by the continuous harassment from Shu's army in recent days. Now, influenced by Xu Shu's words and the confusing force, his suspicions and anxiety were magnified infinitely. He recalled that several of his lieutenants had indeed disagreed with his decisions recently, and a sense of unease rose in his heart.
In the following days, Xu Shu deliberately mentioned the conflicts between the generals in front of Xiahou Yuan several times, secretly using the mind-confusing technique each time. Xiahou Yuan's suspicion grew stronger and stronger; he often accused his subordinates arbitrarily, and even punished generals without reason, causing panic and chaos within Wei's army. Seeing the conflicts between the generals, the soldiers gradually lost their fighting spirit, and their morale plummeted to the lowest point.
One early morning, Xu Shu visited Xiahou Yuan again, pretending to be worried: "General, now our army's morale is in chaos, and the generals are alienated. Although Xinye is small, its defenses are solid. Liu Bei has fierce generals like Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun under his command. If we attack the city by force, our army will surely suffer heavy losses. Moreover, I have heard that Liu Biao has secretly sent reinforcements to Xinye. If the reinforcements arrive, our army will be attacked from both front and rear, with unimaginable consequences. It would be better to withdraw temporarily, reorganize the army's morale, and then plan another attack."
Xiahou Yuan was already muddled by suspicion and anxiety. Hearing Xu Shu's words, he panicked immediately. After thinking for a moment, he felt Xu Shu was right—if he stayed in Xinye, he would not only find it difficult to capture the city but also might be trapped by the reinforcements, suffering heavy losses.
As Xiahou Yuan hesitated, a fast horse from Xuchang (ancient capital, present-day Xuchang City, Henan Province) arrived with another report: "Liu Biao of Jingzhou (key territory in the Three Kingdoms period) has sent cavalry to attack our rear grain depot! The grain in the camp can only last for three days! Please make a quick decision, General!"
Upon hearing this, he immediately ordered: "Pass the order! The entire army will break camp and withdraw immediately!"
When the news of Wei's army's withdrawal reached Xinye, Liu Bei and his men were overjoyed. The soldiers on the city wall cheered loudly, the tension and oppression of recent days swept away, and the air was filled with the joy of surviving a disaster. Zhang Fei stroked his spear and laughed loudly: "Great! Great! That rascal Xiahou Yuan really withdrew! Although Mr. Xu is in Wei's camp, he still helped us a great deal!"
Guan Yu nodded with a smile: "Mr. Yuanzhi has fulfilled both filial piety and loyalty—he saved his mother and managed to make Wei's army withdraw. He is truly a righteous man."
Liu Bei stood on the city wall, watching the dust raised by Wei's army as they left, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He was relieved that Xinye was out of danger, yet worried that Xu Shu was trapped in Wei's camp. "Yuanzhi's strategy saved Xinye, but it also trapped him in Wei's camp. Although Xiahou Yuan has withdrawn, he will never let him leave easily." He sighed, his eyes full of concern. "Once I invite Mr. Kong Ming to leave the mountain, I will surely find a way to rescue Yuanzhi and his mother."
At that moment in Wei's camp, Xu Shu stood outside the tent, watching the army break camp and leave slowly, his heart filled with mixed feelings. Wei's army had withdrawn, Xinye was safe, and the Lord and the people were unharmed—he should have been relieved. Yet thinking that he would be trapped in Wei's camp from now on, living with his mother but never able to assist Liu Bei in reviving the Han Dynasty, a deep sense of helplessness and sorrow welled up in his heart.
"Yuanzhi, Wei's army has withdrawn—why are you looking so dejected?" Mother Xu walked slowly to his side, leaning on a crutch, her eyes full of compassion.
Xu Shu turned around, supported his mother, and forced a smile: "Mother, I was just thinking when we can escape from here and return to seclusion in the mountains."
Mother Xu sighed: "Although Xiahou Yuan has withdrawn, he is keeping a strict watch on us. Escaping will be no easy task. But you don't have to worry too much. You have kept your promise, protected Liu Bei and the people of Xinye, and never offered a single strategy to Cao Cao. You have already lived up to your conscience and Liu Bei's kindness of recognition."
"But I still let the Lord down," Xu Shu's voice was low. "The Lord showed me great kindness, yet I failed to assist him in achieving great things. Instead, I am trapped here—truly guilty."
"My son..." Mother Xu patted his hand gently. "Filial piety and loyalty cannot be fulfilled at the same time. You have done well enough. Liu Bei is a benevolent lord; he will surely have noble people to assist him. You don't have to worry too much about him. As for yourself, in the days ahead in Wei's camp, you must be cautious in your words and deeds, never easily reveal your talents, and never be swayed by Cao Wei's coercion and inducements. Just keep your original heart."
Xu Shu nodded heavily: "I will remember your teachings, Mother. No matter what hardships I face in the future, I will never serve Cao Cao. If he presses me too hard, I will die to prove my integrity."
As soon as he finished speaking, several Cao soldiers walked over quickly. The leading general bowed: "Mr. Xu, General Xiahou invites you to the central army tent immediately. Please come with me."
Xu Shu's heart tightened—he knew Xiahou Yuan must be suspicious about the withdrawal and intended to question him. He helped his mother back to the tent, settled her down, then followed the soldiers to the central army tent.
Inside the tent, Xiahou Yuan sat on the main seat with a dark expression, his sharp gaze fixed on Xu Shu: "Yuanzhi, although I followed your advice to withdraw this time, it allowed that scoundrel Liu Bei to catch his breath. Did you deliberately devise this plan to make our army withdraw, still serving Liu Bei in secret?"
Xu Shu had long been prepared. He bowed calmly: "General, you are mistaken. Since I have defected, I am a subordinate of Cao Cao—how could I still serve Liu Bei? The withdrawal this time was because our army's morale was in chaos, the generals were alienated, and Liu Biao's reinforcements were approaching. If we had attacked the city by force, we would have suffered heavy losses. My decision was for your sake and the army's, not for Liu Bei."
He paused, then continued: "I am certain you have already sent someone to investigate—Liu Biao has sent cavalry to attack our rear. If the reinforcements arrive, our army will be attacked from both front and rear, with unimaginable consequences. At that time, you would not only fail to capture Xinye but also be held accountable by the Prime Minister for losing troops and generals."
Xiahou Yuan's expression softened slightly. He had indeed sent someone to inquire about Liu Biao's movements and learned that Liu Biao had dispatched naval troops to reinforce Xinye, but they had not yet arrived due to heavy rains making the roads muddy. Xu Shu's words confirmed his worries.
"Very well," Xiahou Yuan waved his hand. "I will trust you this once. However, you and your mother must accompany me back to Xuchang to serve beside the Prime Minister. If you can offer good strategies to the Prime Minister in the future, I will report to him and ensure you and your mother live a life of comfort and plenty."
Xu Shu sighed inwardly. He knew Xiahou Yuan intended to place him under house arrest in Xuchang, using him as a bargaining chip to restrain Liu Bei. But he had no choice now, so he bowed and replied: "I obey the order."
Leaving the central army tent, Xu Shu looked toward Xuchang, his heart filled with confusion. He knew that from this moment on, he would be trapped in Wei's camp, like a bird in a cage, never again able to freely assist his wise lord. Yet he had no regrets. For the sake of his mother and to repay Liu Bei's kindness of recognition, he was willing to endure the world's doubts and constraints.