diymy Chapter 20 Recruiting More Talented Individuals
Chapter 20 Recruiting More Talented Individuals
Thinking of this, Liu Bei immediately said to Xu Rong, "Send twenty warhorses to Gongsun Zan's new recruit camp."
Although Xu Rong had doubts, he still complied and set aside twenty fine warhorses to follow Liu Bei to the new recruit camp in the east of the city.
Gongsun Zan's new recruit camp was specially assigned to him by Hou Chong to train new soldiers. It was not large in scale, but it was well-organized.
The garrison soldiers at the camp gate recognized Liu Bei and hurriedly went in to report. Before long, Gongsun Zan personally came out to greet him.
Upon seeing Liu Bei followed by twenty robust Xianbei warhorses, a hint of surprise flashed in Gongsun Zan's eyes.
His slightly gloomy expression softened a little, and he forced a smile, asking, "What brings Xuande here today?"
Liu Bei smiled and returned the greeting, getting straight to the point: "Brother Bogui, in the battle of Xiping Fort a few days ago, it was thanks to your help that we were able to defeat the Xianbei."
"Today, I have brought my captured warhorse to express my gratitude!"
"Brother, you're training new recruits and there aren't enough warhorses, so I specially selected twenty fine horses for you as a token of my appreciation."
Upon hearing this, Gongsun Zan was both surprised and delighted.
His two hundred new recruits were mostly from farming families. They couldn't even muster a decent set of weapons, let alone warhorses, and he was worried about the warhorses.
These twenty warhorses were a godsend for Liu Bei.
The aloofness and past lingering resentment on his face vanished almost instantly, and he quickly said, "Brother Xuande, how could I accept this!"
"In the Battle of Xiping Fort, I only contributed slightly; how can I accept your warhorse for nothing!"
Even so, Gongsun Zan's eyes were already shining.
"Brother Bogui, you're being too polite!"
Liu Bei laughed and said, "If it weren't for your bravery that day, Brother, Xiping Fort would not have been saved."
"Besides, we both come from Zhuojun and studied under Master Lu. We are fellow townsmen and students. What are a few warhorses worth mentioning?"
Gongsun Zan laughed heartily, feeling extremely pleased, and immediately led Liu Bei into the camp: "Good! Brother Xuande is indeed straightforward!"
"Come on, let's go to my camp for a drink!"
Gongsun Zan immediately led Liu Bei into the camp, introducing the situation of the camp as they walked, his face full of pride.
However, in Liu Bei's view, both the military appearance and discipline were far inferior to those of Yan Gang's camp.
As they approached the entrance to the central command tent, they saw a young man in a blue robe carrying a bundle of bamboo slips, walking briskly out.
The young man immediately stopped and bowed, saying, "Your subordinate greets General Gongsun and Liu Bingcao."
The boy looked to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a very calm and composed demeanor, and his manners were measured and unhurried.
Upon seeing this person, Liu Bei was stunned; those features seemed to belong to an old friend!
Liu Bei's heart stirred, and he asked, "Sir, may I ask your esteemed name?"
The young man raised his eyes and replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "I dare not accept your question, sir. I am Tian Yu, courtesy name Guorang, from Yuyang County. I am in charge of documents and military registers in the camp."
It really is Tian Yu!
Liu Bei was overjoyed, but he remained outwardly calm, simply nodding with a smile and offering a word of praise.
"Judging from Guo Rang, he is calm, capable, and possesses the talent to govern the world!"
Tian Yu was stunned, his face quickly turned red, and he didn't know how to respond for a moment!
Although he believed he had some talent, the title of "talent for governing the world" was far too grand, as grand as a village girl being called Xi Shi (a legendary beauty) when she went out.
Gongsun Zan waved his hand dismissively, saying, "He's just a minor clerk in charge of documents. Brother Xuande, you flatter me."
In his eyes, Tian Yu was just a boy who could write, far less important than a warrior who could charge into battle, and he didn't take him seriously at all.
Liu Bei smiled, said nothing more, and followed Gongsun Zan for a walk around the camp before getting up to take his leave.
Before leaving, he pulled Gongsun Zan aside, deliberately sighed, and said...
"Brother Bogui, there is something I would like to discuss with you, but I am afraid you will refuse."
Gongsun Zan had just received twenty warhorses from him and was in the midst of a friendly exchange. He immediately patted his chest and said, "Brother Xuande, just say what you need! As long as it's within my power, I'll do it without hesitation!"
Liu Bei then said, "I have just taken in ten personal guards, and I am short of someone to manage documents and general affairs."
"Just now I saw that Tian Yu under my brother's command was mature, steady and capable, and I liked him very much."
"I wonder if my brother would be willing to part with him and let him go with me?"
Gongsun Zan was taken aback for a moment, then frowned.
Although Tian Yu was just a minor clerk, he was in charge of the camp's accounts and military registers. Letting him go all at once would really cause some trouble.
Seeing this, Liu Bei immediately added, "I won't put my brother in a difficult position either."
"Didn't I just give my brother twenty warhorses? I originally kept twenty for myself as well."
"How about this? I'll add ten more horses to exchange for Tian Yu. What do you think, brother?"
Upon hearing this, Gongsun Zan was immediately tempted.
In his eyes, Tian Yu was nothing more than a minor clerk in charge of documents, someone who could be found anywhere.
Ten Xianbei warhorses are real hard currency, capable of immediately boosting the combat effectiveness of new recruits. This deal is incredibly worthwhile.
He immediately burst into laughter, patted Liu Bei on the shoulder, and said, "Brother Xuande, what are you saying!"
"He's just a minor official; why should he be exchanged for a horse!"
"Since you've taken a liking to it, then take it!"
"Those ten warhorses are absolutely out of the question!"
Liu Bei insisted, "Brother, please don't refuse. This is my token of appreciation, and besides, even brothers should keep their accounts straight!"
"Tian Yu is one of my brother's men. It would be against the rules for me to take him away without permission."
"Ten horses are my compensation to my brother for the paperwork losses incurred in the recruit camp. If my brother does not agree, I cannot take the people with me."
Seeing his insistence, Gongsun Zan no longer refused and immediately nodded, "Alright! Alright! It's your way!"
"I'll call Tian Yu over right now and have him go with you!"
Before long, Tian Yu was summoned over.
Upon hearing that Gongsun Zan had instructed him to follow Liu Bei, he was initially taken aback, but then looked at the ten extra horses and seemed to understand something.
He looked at Liu Bei, a complex expression flashing in his eyes, but still bowed and agreed.
After leaving the recruit camp, Liu Bei led his horse, followed by Tian Yu, Xu Rong, and others.
Tian Yu remained silent the whole way, but finally couldn't help but speak up, bowing to Liu Bei and asking.
"Lord Liu, Yu is just an insignificant official, not worth exchanging ten of your finest warhorses for."
"Is it worth it for you to do this?"
Liu Bei stopped, turned around, looked at the young man in front of him, and then at Xu Rong beside him, his tone solemn and sincere.
"Guorang, Yuanzhao, in the eyes of others, you two may be just a minor clerk or a small squad leader."
"But in my eyes, the two of you are worth a hundred thousand soldiers!"
"Even if it were a hundred or a thousand horses, let alone ten, to gain your assistance would be a huge win for me, Liu Bei!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Rong trembled, then abruptly knelt on one knee, his voice choked with emotion, and said, "I would rather die than repay the kindness of Lord Liu!"
"If you do not abandon me, I am willing to serve you as my lord, to be your retainer, and to follow you to the death!"