Chapter 1 The Crown Prince

  "It's selling out for a living." Cao Cao thought of that extremely infuriating crown prince and nodded.

  It's all about selling opium to make a living now.

  Liu Bei, a great hero, was bullied by a child, and it's really pitiful. For some reason, Cao Cao suddenly felt a bit of sympathy for Liu Bei in his heart.

  Found it somewhat laughable, Cao Cao shook his head.

  "Alas." Zhang Liao didn't know that Cao Cao was sympathizing with Liu Bei being bullied by Liu Feng, but thought that Liu Bei had already reached this point, and couldn't help but sigh.

  "I will take my leave now." With that, Zhang Liao bowed once to Cao Cao.

  "Go." Cao Cao nodded and said.

  Zhang Liao took his leave and departed immediately.

  After leaving the Cishi Mansion, Zhang Liao immediately headed east of the city based on the intelligence he had obtained.

  At this moment, Zou Ji is haggling with a horse trader.

  The reason was that the horse trader saw Mi Zou and others pulling a cart of armor, wanting to buy it. However, this horse trader was quite shrewd, he noticed that Mi Zou and others seemed to be in a hurry to get rid of it.

  Therefore unwilling to pay a high price.

  Mai Zhu is a big businessman, making profits of thousands of gold. He rarely has the opportunity to deal with street vendors. Moreover, due to the suddenness of the matter, he unexpectedly failed to win.

  "I know this is a good horse, sir, but look, it's not a standard size, they're all different. It may take me a long time to sell them and there's risk involved. Thirty-five gold is already my limit. If you're not willing, then I'm afraid I can do nothing about it." The horse merchant was an extremely astute person with excellent eloquence, and as he spoke, his face revealed a helpless expression.

  It's really troublesome to haggle with street vendors.

  Mi Zong's face also showed a helpless expression, and the guards around Mi Zong all revealed angry expressions. This guy is really talkative. All of this is good for Jia Ah.

  It's not necessary to say something that isn't sincere.

  "Never mind then." In the end, Zou Chuang came from a merchant's temperament and didn't want to suffer losses, so he shook his head and said.

  This coat is normally sold for 50 yuan per piece, but this guy actually haggled the price down to 35, what a ridiculous sale.

  The horse trader did not expect that the general would so readily refuse to sell, and he was secretly getting anxious. What a good horse this is! If it were sold to the general, it might fetch a good price.

  "Mr. Zou."

  The horse trader was about to make amends, but saw a team of horses and men approaching from afar, led by a general and several guards. The general had a star-shaped eyebrow and a sharp gaze, extremely majestic, it was Zhang Liao.

  "Wen Yuan." Seeing it was Zhang Liao, Mi Zhuang hesitated for a moment before saluting with his fist.

  "Huh? Why is the gentleman pulling armor everywhere?" Zhang Liao first nodded, then pretended to have just discovered the armor behind Meng Zhi and exclaimed in surprise.

  Zhang Liao furrowed his brow and said, "Is General Zuo having some difficulties?"

  "It's a bit difficult." Zang Ba said with a wry smile. If it were another Cao army general who asked this, Zang Ba would have definitely shaken his head in denial, but Zhang Liao was different, and there was nothing wrong with hiding it from him either.

  "These armors are all good ones." Zhang Liao did not continue to ask, but came to the side of the carriage, looking at the bright armor inside, and sighed.

  "Yes, they are all top-grade jades." Zou Yu sighed.

  "If you sell it like this, I'm afraid the treasure will be dusty. How about this? I'll buy one piece from you for 100 gold, what do you think?" Zhang Liao asked.

  To be honest, Zhang Liao's acting skills are really not good.

  Zhang Liao has already figured it out, he is here for him.

  Zhang Liao, as a general of Cao, did not lack armor, and it was impossible to buy armor for 100 gold pieces. This was Zhang Liao's kindness, or the purpose of Cao Cao after Zhang Liao's death.

  Mo Zhai thinks the latter is more common.

  Because of Xu Du's city, basically nothing has escaped Cao Cao's ears and eyes. What happened in their mansion, the contradictions they had with the emperor's power.

  Cao Cao would probably know everything clearly.

  "Could it be that you want to curry favor with our lord?" In a flash of insight, Zou Ji had already pointed out the crux of the matter.

  Such things, naturally, cannot be decided by Zou Yu alone.

  "Wen Yuan's words are profound, I understand. However, this matter still needs to be discussed with the lord. If Wen Yuan is willing, would it be possible for him to visit the Left General's residence?" Zou Xi suggested after a moment of contemplation.

  "Alright."

  Zhang Liao also knew that his performance couldn't deceive Mi Zhu, and probably in the past they didn't discuss any business about buying armor, but rather the alliance between Cao and Liu. He nodded and said.

  "Please."

  "Please."

  Xiahou Dun stretched out his hand and beckoned, Zhang Liao also nodded in agreement.

  They immediately went towards General Zuo's mansion.

  "What bad luck!" The horse trader who had just haggled with Miao Zhuang couldn't help but curse under his breath as he saw Miao Zhuang and his group leave.

  ……

  A group of people soon arrived at the Left General's mansion, while Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Sun Qian and Jian Yong were still waiting for news in the main hall.

  "Zhang Liao?"

  Liu Bei heard from his subordinates that Zuo Ci had brought Zhang Liao back with him, and he couldn't help but furrow his brow. It wasn't that he was unwelcoming to Zhang Liao, but rather the timing of it all.

  "My lord."

  "Xuande."

  Soon after the report was made, Mi Zhu and Zhang Liao walked in from outside. Mi Zhu and Zhang Liao bowed to Liu Bei with their fists clasped together.

  "Wén yuǎn."

  Translation: "Man of letters from afar"

  Liu Bei burst out laughing and said.

  "Sit." Then Liu Bei pointed to the empty seat next to him and asked Zhang Liao to sit down.

  Zhang Liao also didn't stand on ceremony, nodded and sat down. Zang Ba followed suit and sat down as well.

  "Unexpectedly, why did Wen He come?" Liu Bei asked after Zhang Liao sat down.

  "But it was because he valued Liu Bei's five-piece armor." Zhang Liao said calmly.

  "Oh?" Liu Bei exclaimed, turning his gaze towards Zuo Ci.

  "I was ordered by the lord to go to the city to sell armor, and I happened to meet Wen Yuan." Zuo Ci met Liu Bei's gaze and told him about his encounter with Zhang Liao.

  Liu Bei's eyes became slightly deeper after listening.

  Guan Yu also narrowed his eyes, Sun Qian and Jian Yong showed a thoughtful expression. Even Zhang Fei felt that this matter was not ordinary.

  "Your Excellency, since Wen Yuan is fond of it, there's no harm in giving it to him." Sun Gan, as the aide, reacted the quickest and said.

  Sun Qian naturally knew that Zhang Liao's sudden arrival was unusual. His thoughts were the same as those of Mi Zhu, and he was sure it was to Cao Cao's advantage. What about Liu Bei's situation now?

  No money, and perhaps the emperor would take away Zouzi, even taking away his family, escape was impossible. It's just being trapped, losing Zouzi forever.

  This is a great loss.

  Secondly, Liu Bei is currently unable to rely on the power of the Emperor within Xuchang City and has many contradictions with Cao Cao, it can be said that he is in a precarious situation.

  It's extremely difficult and very unfavorable.

  Now that Cao Cao has extended an olive branch to Liu Bei, it's a good opportunity for him to step down. Even if he has to lean towards Cao Cao and suffer some loss of reputation, it's still better than being sandwiched in the middle like a pancake.

  One should have a long-term vision, but also consider immediate worries. Fame and life, which one is more important? For Liu Bei, it's clearly the latter that matters more.

  Only by living on can one revive his former prestige and vitality.