Fu Xun, Han Xue's heart returned.

  In front of Jiangling City, Liu Bei, Fu Shao and Han Xuan stood on the city wall, standing against the wind, gazing towards Xiangyang for a long time.

  A moment later, Fu Shun quietly stepped forward a few steps and leaned in beside Liu Bei, saying in a low voice: "Lord Xuande, you've been standing here for over an hour now. I suppose there's no news from Xiangyang today; let's head back to the governor's mansion first."

  "Gong Ti's words are indeed correct, General Xuan De, you are the commander-in-chief of this expedition to quell the Jiang Xia rebellion, please take care of your health..." Han Xue, who was standing with his sword, hastily advised, and then added: "Moreover, if there is any news from Xiangyang, I will definitely inform General Xuan De at the first time..."

  Having said that, Liu Bei slightly raised an eyebrow, but still didn't respond. Han Xue turned her head and exchanged a glance with Fu Shou, feeling quite helpless. For several days in a row, after Liu Bei went to the main camp to handle military affairs and government matters, he spent all his remaining time lost in thought on the city wall.

  It must be said that Liu Bei's charisma is indeed unbelievable. In just over a decade, Liu Hu, Han Xi, and Fu Shou all showed great respect to Liu Bei. Compared to Liu Hu, after Liu Bei arrived in Jiangling, Liu Hu readily handed over the position of governor of Jiangling to him, although it was only temporary, it was already sufficient.

  After Liu Bei took over, he did not obstruct Fu Shou and Han Xiu at all. He still entrusted the great power to the two of them. This made Fu and Han admire Liu Bei more and more, especially Fu Shou. Since that time when he expressed his heart, Fu Shou had already secretly regarded Liu Bei as his master in his heart. If it weren't for Liu Biao being still alive and Liu Bei's forces being weak, Fu Shou would have long since thrown down his halberd and rushed to Liu Bei's side.

  Jiangling Deputy General Han Xue also had a growing admiration for Liu Bei, which can be seen from the honorific titles he used to address him. From "Liu Gongzi" (Lord Liu) previously, to "Taishou Daren" (His Honor the Governor), and now "Xuande Gong" (Duke Xuande), Han Xue's change in attitude was a complete 360-degree turn, his respect for Liu Bei growing with each passing day.

  Han Xie treated Liu Bei with a bit more respect than Liu Biao. What's that saying? "A gentleman would die for one who knows him, and a fine bird chooses the branch on which to perch!" Han Xie had originally wanted to follow Liu Bei directly, but was privately persuaded by his good friend Fu Shou, so he put aside his turbulent emotions and did his own job conscientiously.

  Fu Shubao's eyes were slightly bright, and his eyes were quite worried as he looked at Liu Bei. He wanted to open his mouth, but it seemed like something was stuck, and he couldn't say a word. At this time, Liu Bei seemed to have a feeling, turned his head around, and looked at Fu Shubao and Han Xi's worried expressions. His heart felt quite proud. Liu Bei smiled slightly and said softly: "Gong Ti, Zi Wang, I'm fine, you two go do your own things, I still want to stay on the city wall for a while."

  "After all... this matter is not trivial, one careless move and the two armies will clash, flames of war will spread everywhere, smoke signals will rise in all directions, at that time the common people will again suffer greatly, every time I think about it my heart aches with sorrow."

  Liu Bei sighed, his eyes gazing towards Jiangxia County, his expression sorrowful, and his eyes seemed to be welling up with tears. Fu Shao and Han Xi listened to Liu Bei's words, both of them showing a face of helplessness and emotion. Fu Shao immediately composed himself and said: "Lord Xuan De, I have something that I must say, are you willing to listen?"

  Han Xie's heart skipped a beat when he heard Fu Xun's words. Han Xie and Fu Xun had been good friends for many years, and in the past few days, Fu Xun had poured out all his thoughts to him. Today, hearing Fu Xun speak so solemnly and seriously, Han Xie couldn't help but change his expression, becoming stern and serious. He suddenly grasped the hilt of the sword at his waist with his left hand, his eyes gleaming with a cold light as he scanned his surroundings vigilantly. His demeanor was on high alert, and it seemed that if anyone approached him with ill intentions, Han Xie would draw his sword and let them taste his blade within five steps.

  Liu Bei saw Fu Sheng's serious face, and was taken aback by his solemn tone. He quickly regained his composure, looked straight at Fu Sheng, and said with a hint of humor: "Fu Sheng, if you have something to say, just say it. Are you afraid others will overhear? Haha."

  Liu Bei couldn't help but burst out laughing, while Fu Shuo and Han Xie on the side were unusually serious, their faces stern. At this time, Liu Bei's expression turned solemn, his heart slightly uneasy, wondering what Han Xie and Fu Shuo were up to. However, Liu Bei was also a man of great depth, and in an instant, he adjusted his mood, saying calmly: "Gong Ti, please speak, I'm all ears."

  Fu Sheng saw that Liu Bei had changed so suddenly, and his heart was both astonished and overjoyed. He thought to himself: "This is indeed the kind of person I have been looking for, with such depth and strategic thinking, he is truly a hero, and only such a person can be the master of my lord Fu Sheng."

  Fu Sheng slightly bowed his head and said in a low voice: "Gong Zhendu, you are the descendant of King Jing of Zhongshan, the uncle of the current Emperor of Great Han. Gong Zhendu has taken it upon himself to support the Han dynasty and eliminate evil officials as his duty. With your exceptional talent and strategy, why have you been wandering in exile for many years?"

  Liu Bei's face suddenly turned gloomy after hearing Fu Shou's words, these heart-wrenching things were the most painful place in Liu Bei's heart, and today Fu Shou ruthlessly exposed this wound, how could Liu Bei not be angry?

  Then Liu Bei knew that Fu Shuo would not speak empty words, and he adjusted his mood to continue listening. Fu Shuo looked at Liu Bei's changing expression and said: "Lord Xuan De, please forgive me for speaking bluntly. Lord Xuan De has Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, enough to look down on the world, but unfortunately lacks talented men to assist him, which is why he repeatedly lost to Cao Cao..." After a pause, Fu Shuo seemed to be organizing his thoughts, and after a moment, continued: "Lord Xuan De is a hero of the ages, repeatedly defeated but never discouraged. This kind of determination is truly admirable."

  He finished speaking, his face filled with a respectful expression, and he bowed to Liu Bei. He continued, "Lord Xuande, in my humble opinion, looking at your past defeats, it is actually the will of heaven!" Han Xue listened, her eyes wide with astonishment as she looked at Fu Shuo, while Liu Bei also looked at him with a hint of surprise, unsure why Fu Shuo would say such a thing.

  "Oh?" Liu Bei looked at Fu Shou in surprise and said: "Are you saying that all the defeats I suffered before were due to heavenly will?"

  Fu Sheng nodded and continued: "Before his death, Xuande Gong was stationed in Pingyuan to defend it. However, the land of Pingyuan is narrow and remote, which is not conducive to development. Later, Xuzhou became famous for its prosperity, but unfortunately, there were treacherous villains like Lü Bu and Cao Cao lurking around, watching with envy. Is this not the will of heaven?"

  Fu Sheng glanced at Liu Bei's slightly awkward expression, and smiled lightly, saying: "Now that Lord Xuan De has arrived in Jingzhou, it is like a dragon emerging from a shallow pool, shaking its tail and rising to the sky. The land of Jing and Xiang has many talented and brave warriors, and with this as his foundation, Lord Xuan De will be able to contend for the empire in the future, and may even become king or overlord."

  Liu Bei's expression changed upon hearing Fu Shou's words, he glanced around and his expression slightly relaxed. He immediately stopped Fu Shou from speaking, his tone slightly angry and low, saying: "Be careful with your words, Jingzhou is a relative of the Han imperial family, how can I do something that would delight our enemies and make our loved ones resentful?"

  Liu Bei's tone paused slightly, and he smiled softly: "Gong Ti, what you said today I will pretend to be completely unaware of. If in the future you speak such nonsense again, don't blame me for not being considerate..." After speaking, he let out a heavy hum, turned his sleeve and left. From the broad back view, Liu Bei seemed very dissatisfied.

  Han Xue listened to Liu Bei's words, her expression changed, and she wanted to speak for Fu Shou, but unexpectedly Fu Shou quietly pulled her sleeve, Han Xue could only stare at Liu Bei's back as he walked away. A moment later, Han Xue looked at Fu Shou with a burning gaze, blaming him: "Gong Di, why did you pull me?"

  Fu Xun's face flashed a mysterious smile, Han Xie saw it and was slightly stunned. Looking at Fu Xun's expression, he seemed quite relaxed, without any signs of seriousness, and couldn't help but ask in doubt: "Gong Ti, you don't seem to be worried about Gong De?"

  "What's the concern, is it that Lord Xuan De will expose me in a memorial to the throne later? Or is it that from now on, I'll be estranged from you?" Fu Xun couldn't help but smile lightly, his eyes gazing towards Xiangyang, his pupils shimmering with endless, inexplicable colors, profound and bottomless.

  "Zi Wang, if Lord Guan associates guilt with us because of this, then he is not worth our sacrifice to follow." Fu Shao was silent for a long time before lightly laughing and saying: "Zi Wang, it seems that Lord Guan is indeed a good choice." Han Xue listened and suddenly fell silent, only to stare intently at Fu Shao after a moment, softly speaking: "Xue understands now, so I'll ask you... what possibility does Lord Guan have..." The words were left unspoken, with his finger pointing towards the direction of Xiangyang, the meaning implicit.

  Fu Xun saw Han Xue's tense expression, the smile on his face was even more radiant, and a hint of an inscrutable sly smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. Fu Xun didn't respond, but instead looked around and said to someone else: "Zi Wang, is that matter done?"

  Han Xie furrowed his brow and didn't speak, but having worked with Fu Xun for many years, Han Xie knew about Fu Xun's talent and character. That was why he trusted him so much. After hearing Fu Xun's question, Han Xie hastily said in a low voice: "I've already taken care of everything, don't worry, Gong Tuo!"

  Fu Xun nodded slightly, his eyes calm and gazing northward. The north seemed to be slowly rising with a fierce wind, blowing up waves of gray dust, hazy but with its own scenery. Han Xue and Fu Xun stood shoulder to shoulder, standing quietly on the city wall.