Before Zhao Yun returned, Chen Xi paid a visit to Liu Bei's residence. For the first time, he felt a sense of war-weariness. His once-calm heart now stirred with thoughts of his wife and child. Not everyone could be as emotionless as Le Yang or Yi Ya, those legendary figures who put their duty above all else.
When Chen Xi entered Liu Bei's home, there was no resistance or questioning. Xu Chu had gone to the front lines, Wu Anguo had gone to Jingzhou, and the only ones left to protect Liu Bei were the city management troops and the Xu family warriors led by Xu Chu's brother, Xu Ding. However, these two forces ignored Chen Xi's actions entirely.
"Zichuan?" Liu Bei looked at Chen Xi, who had suddenly appeared in his home, with some confusion. Beside him, Lady Zhang and Lady Gan also showed no signs of retreating.
"Xuande Gong, can we send Zijing instead?" Chen Xi asked after thinking for a moment.
"No," Liu Bei shook his head. "Zijing has the right status, but he lacks experience in leading troops. You know Yun Chang's temperament—Zijing would be more of a burden than help in the field."
Chen Xi frowned. Everyone knew Guan Yu's personality. While Guan Yu respected Lu Su in administrative matters, it would be difficult to get him to follow Lu Su's lead in military matters without Lu Su proving himself three to five times.
"But I have a compromise," Liu Bei said after glancing at Lady Gan and thinking it over.
"A compromise?" Chen Xi asked, puzzled.
"Zichuan, you came to ask me this because of your wife, right? We're in the same situation, so I understand. You can bring your wife with you," Liu Bei said seriously.
"No," Chen Xi refused outright. "War is chaotic, and it's too dangerous. I can't take that risk."
"Let me finish," Liu Bei waved his hand. "I understand your concerns, but I've reviewed your plans. Bringing your wife along won't be a problem. You're going to build a city, after all, and with a city to protect her and tens of thousands of troops guarding you, with Yun Chang and Zilong there as well, if it's still unsafe, then there's no place in this world that would be."
Chen Xi frowned, considering it. "Let me think about it."
"Changing commanders is impossible. We're in the same boat, so this is the only way," Liu Bei said helplessly. "You can delay the start of the campaign until the inner city is built. Fengxiao has stabilized the situation, and Yuan Benchu is also mobilizing his forces. With the three factions in play, there won't be any major developments for a while."
Chen Xi analyzed the situation. Although his military knowledge wasn't the best, he'd learned a lot since arriving in this era. He was confident in his ability to defend a city.
"Under those conditions, it might work," Chen Xi nodded. "But I'll need to move my whole household there."
Liu Bei agreed readily. "Your wife needs care, and you shouldn't favor one over the other."
Chen Xi bowed deeply to Liu Bei. "Xuande Gong, please issue the orders. I'll call for the voluntary relocation of people from Qingzhou, Taishan, and Xuzhou to Linyi. I'll also accept refugees from Bingzhou and Yanzhou, as well as the Black Mountain Yellow Turbans, to help build the new city. This place will become our stronghold for future campaigns against Jizhou and Weijun."
"Go ahead. With you overseeing it, I feel at ease. When we fight against Jizhou, Taishan is too far for reinforcements. Linyi is ideal," Liu Bei said with a smile. He was well-versed in the state of the world and knew that a multi-front strategy against Yuan Shao was necessary.
"I will do my best," Chen Xi replied earnestly. "When Liu Ziyang returns with his loyal forces, I'll have him stay in Linyi."
"That's not necessary. We don't need such formalities between us," Liu Bei said, waving his hand dismissively. "I trust myself, and I trust that I can lead all of you to the pinnacle of glory. We are aligned in our goals, so there's no need for such tokens."
"Thank you," Chen Xi said with a sigh. Liu Bei was still Liu Bei, and he himself was still the same. Neither of them had changed. The vow they had taken together, to follow the path of righteousness, still weighed heavily on Liu Bei, giving him unwavering resolve.
"Go now, and don't forget to write to me during the New Year. Don't get so caught up with your beautiful wife in Linyi that you forget about this friend who shares your ideals," Liu Bei said nonchalantly, waving Chen Xi away. Yet, the word "friend" in his last sentence left a deep impression on Chen Xi.
After Chen Xi left, Lady Zhang looked at Liu Bei, wanting to speak but hesitating. After several attempts, Liu Bei finally noticed her expression.
"You're wondering why I allowed it and didn't impose any conditions on Zichuan, right?" Liu Bei asked with a smile.
Lady Zhang didn't reply, but her curiosity was evident on her face.
"Because it's unnecessary. Zichuan and I share the same ideals; we're kindred spirits. I don't need such measures, and I refuse to doubt him. I trust him!" Liu Bei said calmly, his eyes filled with confidence. "I also trust myself. I don't make mistakes when judging people!"
Seeing the confusion in Lady Zhang's eyes, Liu Bei's confidence only grew. "It's not just Zichuan I trust. I trust all my subordinates. I believe I can lead them to greatness because the goal I pursue is grand enough to inspire them."
Lady Zhang and Lady Gan were clearly still puzzled, but Liu Bei said no more.
As Liu Bei spent more time in power, he became more imposing as a ruler. However, this was only an external change. Internally, his heart remained steadfast.
The vow he made all those years ago still weighed heavily on him, giving him unshakable resolve. He had not wavered from his original intention. He was still the Liu Bei who would sit on the ground, sharing drinks with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Chen Xi.
Though his external circumstances had changed, his inner self remained the same. He still held onto his original kindness and righteousness. He was still Liu Xuande, who had made a great vow to heaven. He believed in the goodness of people and that by treating others with sincerity, they would respond in kind. He was determined to achieve the ancient ideal of "the benevolent are invincible," an idea that had been passed down through literature and legend, though its truth was uncertain.
"Yuan Benchu, we are destined to clash," Liu Bei said calmly, gazing northward. He had shed all doubt and was resolutely moving forward, guided by the vow he had made.
Perhaps Yuan Shao hadn't done anything wrong, and maybe the question of loyalty versus rebellion wasn't even relevant. Even Liu Bei knew that some of his own actions could be considered disloyal. But at this point, he believed in only one thing: what actions would bring prosperity to the Han Dynasty, and what actions would bring wealth to the people. With this as his guiding principle, everything became clear.