In Pengcheng New City, Lu Bu's mansion has not yet been completed, but several buildings have been built.
In one of the halls, Lu Bu was discussing with his cronies how to defend against the enemy.
Yuan Shu began to mobilize troops and generals, and Tao Qian sent people to deliver a message to Liu Bei. Liu Bei also started to get ready to make a move. I didn't expect these people to act so quickly!
To be honest, Lu Bu still felt that he was not ready yet.
But in front of everyone, he naturally had to act like he was sure of victory and just waiting for the enemy to come to his door.
Seeing how confident Lu Bu was, everyone was looking forward to it.
Especially Zhao Yun and Tai Shici were eager to try out the new tactics Lu Bu taught them in actual combat.
Just as he was talking, someone came to report from outside: "Marquis Wen, there is a man named Xu Chu coming to visit outside the mansion!"
"Xu Chu?" Lu Bu was delighted: Sure enough, your efforts will be rewarded!
Because he said: "Invite him in."
After a while, Xu Chu was led into the hall. Lu Bu quickly stopped talking, went up to him, took Xu Chu's hand and said with a smile:
"Zhongkang! Sure enough, you are here! Forgive me for being so wrapped up in worldly things that I can't welcome you from far away! Sit inside quickly!"
Xu Chu saw this posture and knew that Lu Bu must be discussing something with so many people sitting in the room.
Yin said with some embarrassment: "Marquis Wen, I came at the wrong time and disturbed your business..."
Lu Bu said hurriedly: "What did Zhong Kang say? I have finished talking about my business! It just so happens that you are here by chance. Come, let me introduce you..."
As Lu Bu said, he introduced everyone to Xu Chu one by one.
"So you are Xu Zhongkang! Ever since Marquis Wen came back from Qiao County, he has often mentioned you! My name is Chen Gong, courtesy name Gongtai!"
"I am Dian Wei, we have met before!"
"I, Zhang Liao, whose courtesy name is Wenyuan, have long admired the name Zhongkang!"
…
For a moment, everyone's enthusiasm made Xu Chu feel a little shy, and he smiled and bowed to everyone one by one.
After everyone had finished greetings, Lu Bu said, "What kind of wind brought Zhong Kang here to me?"
Xu Chu scratched his head and said: "It's okay... Marquis Wen has been giving me wine and knives these days. Xu Chu is a rough man and doesn't know how to repay.
Yesterday I hunted a very big wild boar. I thought that Marquis Wen would have no time to hunt due to his busy schedule, so I sent it to Marquis Wen for a taste..."
Unexpectedly, Lu Bu was overjoyed when he heard this: "Oh! I didn't expect that Zhong Kang would miss me so much!
Such a gift is exactly what I want! Then I won't be polite to you!
Come on, please quickly clean up the wild boar that Zhong Kang sent and roast it on the fire. Prepare more wine. Let's all have a toast to Zhong Kang! "
Everyone readily agreed.
After a while, as expected, a bonfire was set up and the wild boar was roasted. Everyone, regardless of high or low, sat in a circle, drank and talked.
They both had military backgrounds, so after a few glasses of wine they started to talk too much.
Xu Chu quickly became acquainted with each other and felt that it was so nice here. After a while, he felt like going home.
Moreover, everyone headed by Lu Bu is talented and speaks well...
Xu Chu drank a few more glasses of strong wine without realizing it.
Unexpectedly, when he was in high spirits, Lu Bu drunkenly pulled Xu Chu and said, "Zhongkang! You can come to see me today. I'm... happy! Quite happy!"
Xu Chu also said with a loud tongue: "Marquis Wen... hiccup! Zhong Kang is just a small character, how dare you be so valued and flattered by Marquis Wen... hiccup!"
Lu Bu waved his hand and said: "Zhongkang, it's rare for you to come here. I should have kept you for a few more days to enjoy the friendship of the landlord, but...
It's just that my city hasn't been built yet, but the thieves are interested in it, and they're going to rob me soon!
I... I'll invite you over again after I've finished dealing with this matter. Then we'll get drunk and have a good time! "
"Marquis Wen, you are too polite...ah? Any thief dares to take advantage of Marquis Wen?" Xu Chu suddenly became energetic!
"Which thief dares to be so bold? Tell me, Marquis Wen, and I'll show him some colors!"
"This..." Lu Bu changed his attitude of talking and laughing just now and started to become a little nervous!
"Zhongkang, you better not ask any more questions about some things. I treat you as a brother and I can't lie to you!"
After hearing this, Xu Chu felt curious and a little unwilling. He put the wine bottle in his hand on the table and said:
"Marquis Wen, what are you talking about? If you treat me as a brother, just tell me if you have anything to say!
Xu Chu had no other intentions, he just wanted to do what he could to help Marquis Wen!
If I have any lies, let me..."
After hearing this, Chen Gong quickly covered Xu Chu's mouth and urged: "Zhongkang, Zhongkang! If you do this, it will make it difficult for Marquis Wen! He also has his own reasons!"
Then he said to Lu Bu: "Marquis Wen, I think Zhong Kang is a man of temperament. If you don't tell him, it will only make him feel uncomfortable..."
Xu Chu said: "That's not what it is! It's uncomfortable! It's so uncomfortable!"
Lu Bu sighed and said, "That's all, then just tell him!"
Chen Gong agreed and then said: "Zhongkang, don't blame Marquis Wen for not telling you. In fact, he was also thinking about you and was afraid that you would be caught in the middle!
Do you know who is the main force coming to rob us this time? "
Xu Chu scratched his head and head anxiously: "Who is it? Tell me quickly!"
Chen Gong coughed and said, "It's Yuan Shu! Zhongkang, think about it. Now that Yuan Shu has occupied Yuzhou, your Qiao County is now under Yuan Shu's control. Isn't it right for you to be caught in the middle..."
Xu Chu suddenly realized: "So it's because of this! Wen Hou, this is your fault!
The reason I gathered my troops was to protect the folks in Qiao County from the Yellow Turban thieves!
What does Yuan Shu have to do with me? By the way, why did Yuan Shu come to rob you? "
Lu Bu sighed and said, "Have you ever heard that a common man is guilty of carrying a jade when he is not guilty?"
Xu Chu shook his big head. Apparently "Zuo Zhuan" was too profound for him.
Lu Bu said: "It means that a person has no sin originally, but because he has good things, it becomes his sin and he will be remembered by the bad guys!
Didn’t I discover an iron mine here..."
Lu Bu used as concise language as possible to elaborate on his grievances with Tao Qian and how Tao Qian wanted to contact Yuan Shu to trick him.
Xu Chu was furious after hearing this, and immediately stood up and said: "Where in the world can there be such bullshit!
Marquis Wen is a Xuzhou pastor conferred by the emperor. How dare he, the governor of Xuzhou, secretly plot against you? "
But Lu Bu said: "Zhong Kang, there is no need to be excited. Now that I have understood their plot, I am no longer afraid of them!"
It’s just that the crisis is imminent, and it’s a pity that I can’t entertain you properly…”
